Kentucky’s governor touts “another landmark” for the state’s upcoming medical marijuana program. A licensed cultivator produced “the first medical Cannabis inventory in Kentucky history.”
Gov. Andy Beshear, (D), predicted the developments late last month. He said that medical marijuana growers would “put seed in the soil really soon” and that cannabis will be available to patients before year-end.
The state’s goal to put medical marijuana in the hands of its patients has been a step closer with the opening of the Armory Kentucky LLC.
Beshear, in a release to the press on Tuesday, said, “This administration committed to Kentuckians with cancer, PTSD or multiple sclerosis. I’m proud that we have made progress towards providing safe and affordable medical cannabis.”
He said that by working with the General Assembly, Kentuckians will soon be able to benefit from life-changing relief.
According to the governor’s office, other licensees of cannabis, such as processors and labs for testing, should be operational in the next few weeks.
Cannon Armstrong said, “We’re pleased with the progress made.” “We are looking forward to working together with all our other licensed producers to ensure that they can get up and running as soon as we possibly can.”
Since he passed the law legalizing medical marijuana in 2023, he has acknowledged that it “has taken longer than would have preferred” for this industry to take off.
In recognition of that delayed implementation, he recently signed an executive order to waive renewal fees for patients who get their cards this year so that they don’t get charged again before retailers open. The order protecting patients who get medical marijuana out of Kentucky, which he also signed “will remain in effect.”
Beshear announced separately in May that state had launched a directory online that allows people to see what medical cannabis dispensaries are opening nearby.
The governor said that the state was working hard to provide access “as soon as possible” to the patients, and this included expediting licensing. The governor in January also ceremonially awarded the commonwealth’s first medical marijuana cards.
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Meanwhile, the governor sent a letter to Kentucky’s congressional delegation in January, “urging them to take decisive action to protect the constitutional rights of our law abiding medical cannabis patients” by repealing the federal ban on gun possession by people who use marijuana.
That came after bipartisan Kentucky senators filed legislation that similarly called on the state’s federal representatives to take corrective action, which Beshear said he supports but would like to see even more sweeping change on the federal level.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) warned Kentucky residents late last year that, if they choose to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program, they will be prohibited from buying or possessing firearms under federal law.
As far as the implementation of the state’s medical cannabis law goes, Beshear said in his State of the Commonwealth address in January that patients will have access to cannabis sometime “this year.” He also later shared tips for patients to find a doctor and get registered to participate in the cannabis program.
Health practitioners have been able to start assessing patients for recommendations since the beginning of December.
While there currently aren’t any up-and-running dispensaries available to patients, Beshear has further affirmed that an executive order he signed in 2023 will stay in effect in the interim, protecting patients who possess medical cannabis purchased at out-of-state licensed retailers.
During last year’s November election, Kentucky also saw more than 100 cities and counties approve local ordinances to allow medical cannabis businesses in their jurisdictions. The governor said the election results demonstrate that “the jury is no longer out” on the issue that is clearly supported by voters across partisan and geographical lines.
Mike Latimer provided the photo.
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