Story Highlights

  • More than 20,000 Kentuckians now have medical cannabis cards, and 19 licensed businesses — including cultivators, dispensaries, a processor and safety facilities — are currently operating.
  • Gov. Beshear’s administration wants to add 16 more medical conditions to the state’s qualifying list, aiming to expand access to about 43,000 people.
  • Patients report high prices during the early rollout, but dispensary owners expect costs to decrease as more product becomes available.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Across Kentucky, more than 20,000 people now hold medical cannabis cards.

Kentucky has issued 80 total medical cannabis business licenses across cultivators, processors, dispensaries and safety compliance facilities. Nineteen of those have been approved to operate so far, including eight approved cultivators, two safety compliance facilities, a processor and eight dispensaries.

They sell products to treat the six medical conditions that currently qualify:

  • Cancer
  • PTSD
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Epilepsy
  • Chronic Pain
  • Severe Nausea

Among those licensed business is Kentucky Alternative Care, where owner Su Kang said he's consistently busy, serving up to 100 clients daily.

"I think it's been fabulous," Kang said Friday.

Gummies and flower are now available, with Kentucky's processor up and running.

Kentucky has approved 20,768 medical cannabis cards as of March 13.

"That is an increase of 2,000 approved applications since last month," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.

However, Beshear's administration has its sight set on further expansion to "provide relief to approximately 430,000 Kentuckians." It's asking state lawmakers to add the following 16 medical conditions to the state's approved list:

  • ALS
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Irritable Bowel Disease
  • Crohn's Disease
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
  • Neuropathies
  • Arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Huntington's Disease
  • HIV
  • AIDS
  • Glaucoma
  • Terminal Illness

"In most other states that have a medical marijuana program, these are conditions that are covered," Beshear said.

While many patients are eager for access, some said prices are high right now as Kentucky gets its program off the ground. Kang said those costs may come down soon.

"I think there's going to be plenty of product available to the dispensaries," Kang said. "... I do see prices probably coming down in the near future."

Since the Beshear Administration’s letter, at least one bill has been filed in the General Assembly to expand the qualifying conditions: House Bill 894. 

As of March 13, the letter and issue remain before the legislature.

To find a dispensary near you, click here.

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