Lab in central Kentucky chosen as first medical cannabis testing facility ahead of legalization

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Medical cannabis becomes legal in Kentucky on January 1. Nearly 5,000 businesses applied for a license, but only five testing facilities submitted an application.

KCA Laboratories was the first selected medical cannabis testing facility. It's in Nicholasville, and serves as one of Kentucky's hemp-testing and safety compliance facilities.

It was founded in 2019, and in its sixth year, the lab tests samples from about 2,000 companies.

"We're doing work in virtually every state in the U.S. and in about 30 foreign countries today," KCA Laboratories' Scientific Director Richard Sams said. "We've worked hard to get to this point."

But come 2025, the facility will also be responsible for testing medical marijuana products before they get distributed to Kentuckians with medical cannabis cards.

The registry portal for a Kentucky medical cannabis card will be open by Jan. 1, 2025. Eligible medical conditions include:

Cancer
Epilepsy or other intractable seizure disorder
Chronic or severe pain
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Multiple sclerosis
Muscle spasms
Spasticity
Chronic nausea
Cyclical vomiting syndrome

"They may be more susceptible to than the general public to adverse effects or toxic effects of contaminants," Sams said. "If contaminants are above the regulatory limits, then they can't be sold in the medical cannabis program."

Kentucky residents also must have no disqualifying felony offenses.

Sams said the lab already has the instruments and technology in-house to test cannabis, since the process for testing hemp and medical marijuana are nearly identical.

"The major difference is in the range of concentrations of THC," he said.

The THC limit for cannabis is 35%. That's up significantly from hemp, which allows 0.3% THC.

If a sample fails testing, KCA Laboratories reports it to the state. The business will then have to take steps to correct the issue.

Sams said the lab has 18 to 20 staff members, but it will likely hire more to accommodate the medical cannabis testing.

"We're not sure how it will impact us yet," he said. "My expectation is there may be some reduction in the amount of hemp testing."

The license lottery for medical marijuana cultivators and processors will happen October 28, 2024. Kentucky will issue 48 dispensary licenses, but there's no limit for testing facilities.

"We welcome competition," Sams said. "We know how to do our work, and we're not afraid of competition."

For more information on medical marijuana in Kentucky, click here. For more information on marijuana use in Kentucky for patients and caregivers, click here.