Kentucky Governor has declared that Kentucky’s medical cannabis dispensary is officially approved to operate.
“Great news, Kentucky—today, we approved the state’s first medical cannabis dispensary for operations in Beaver Dam,” Gov. Andy Beshear’s (D) social media posts on Thursday. “The Post Dispensary should open this fall.”
Governor said, “This is a step forward in our work to make sure Kentuckians suffering from serious illnesses have the access they need and deserve to medicine.”
Beshear announced the announcement two weeks ago, after mentioning an “earlier milestone” of Kentucky’s upcoming medical marijuana program. A licensed cultivator produced “the first medical Cannabis inventory in Kentucky History.”
He said that the medical marijuana industry would be “putting seeds in the ground very soon” while predicting that the patients could have cannabis by the end of the year.
Beshear’s office said other cannabis licensees including processors as well as testing laboratories are expected to be operational within the next weeks.
Last week, Beshear sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to reject congressional spending bill provisions that would prevent the Justice Department from rescheduling marijuana.
He said that he “supported” a proposal to shift cannabis from Schedule I into Schedule III, under the Controlled Substances Act.
The process of rescheduling should continue. Americans need leadership who won’t change the goals in mid-game. Beshear noted that Beshear was one of the thousands of people to submit public comments supporting the reform, which was implemented under Biden.
I joined this effort to help people. The governor stated that rescheduling could provide relief to patients who are suffering. “It would ensure communities are safer—because legal medical products reduce the illicit market. This would allow for new and meaningful health research.
Beshear referred to a letter he wrote last year, urging DEA to reschedule marijuana “because there is no doubt about its medical benefits.” It is a medical benefit.”
The governor of the state recently acknowledged that it has taken “longer than we’d have liked” for the medical marijuana industry to take off since 2023, when he passed the law.
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. Another order that he signed protecting qualified patients who purchase medical marijuana outside Kentucky will “stay in place.”
Beshear announced separately in May that a state-wide online directory will let people know where new medical marijuana dispensaries are opening nearby.
In his remarks, he said the state had been working “to deliver access to patients as soon as possible,” which included accelerating the licensing process. The governor in January also ceremonially awarded the commonwealth’s first medical marijuana cards.
—
MEDCAN24 tracks hundreds of marijuana, psychedelics, and drug policy legislation in state legislatures this year. Patreon subscribers who donate at least $25/month have access to the interactive maps and charts as well as our hearing calendar.
Discover more about the marijuana bills tracker. Become a patron on Patreon and you will have access.
—
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.
MEDCAN24 would not be possible without the support of readers. Please consider making a Patreon monthly pledge if you depend on our cannabis journalism for information.
