Kentucky opens new medical marijuana facilities as access remains limited for patients

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky's medical marijuana program continues to expand.

More than a year after medical cannabis became legal in the commonwealth, options are still limited for Kentucky patients to buy it.

The state's first dispensary, The Post Dispensary in Beaver Dam ran out of product, and had to temporarily close after just two weeks.

The state cut the ribbon on three new facilities this week — a cultivator, a processor and a dispensary. The processor is the first to open in the state, called Bison Infused in Dayton. The cultivator, Natural State GreenGrass CannaCo, opened in Madison County. Speakeasy Dispensary opened in Lexington.

"I'm proud to say that Team Kentucky has launched every step of the process," Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday. "From the cultivators who grow the plant, to the processors, safety compliance facilities and dispensaries, we now have at least one of each of those categories open and operating in Kentucky."

Beshear said multiple products will be available to eligible Kentuckians in the coming weeks.

"Medical cannabis will help people in need live fuller lives with less pain. It will help our economy It will help create more jobs. It's truly a win-win for everyone," Beshear said.

Jefferson County is preparing to open its first dispensary, Kentucky Alternative Care, within the next few weeks.

Kentucky House Bill 199

This comes days after a bill was filed to let voters decide on the decriminalization of marijuana to legalize recreational use. House Bill 199, sponsored by Rep. Nima Kulkarni, D-Louisville, would add a new section to Kentucky's constitution to decriminalize marijuana. If passed, the measure would allow adults 21 and older to possess, use, buy or sell one ounce or less of cannabis for personal use.

The proposal would need approval from both the House and Senate before it could appear on the November ballot for voters to decide.

The bill was introduced to a House committee on Jan. 7, and went to the Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs committee in the House on Wednesday.

To read the current version of the bill, click here. It's unclear how much support it will receive from Republican leaders.

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