LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has sent a letter to leaders in Washington in support of easing federal restrictions on marijuana.
The letter sent to Anne Milgram, administrator for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration expressed Beshear's support for a Department of Health and Human Services' recommendation to ease restrictions on marijuana.
HHS recommends changing cannabis from a Schedule I Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
"As Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, my job is to move our state forward," Beshear wrote to Milgram. "Rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III is a significant, common-sense step forward for all Kentuckians, especially those with serious medical conditions."
Beshear said the step would help patients have an alternative to deadly opioids and help communities reduce crime and illegal drug use.
"The jury is no longer out on marijuana: it has medical uses and is currently being used for medical purposes," Beshear wrote. "This recognition is overwhelming — and bipartisan."
Today Gov. Beshear sent a letter to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, expressing his support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendation that the DEA ease restrictions on marijuana.
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) July 17, 2024
Read More: https://t.co/jJ0g4zJvCH pic.twitter.com/lLFkbm2CNU
Starting July 1, the application submission period opens for medical cannabis business applications in Kentucky. Businesses can start operating Jan. 1, 2025.
Four license types will be available:
- Cultivator: responsible for planting, raising, harvesting, trimming and curing raw plant material
- Processor: responsible for processing and packaging raw plant material into usable product formats
- Safety compliance facility: responsible for contamination and purity testing of raw plant material and products
- Dispensary: responsible for purchasing and selling finished products to cardholders
Kentucky will issue 48 dispensary licenses. Only two dispensaries will be approved in Jefferson County to start.
State law restricts dispensaries from operating within 1,000 feet of schools or daycares.
For more information on medical marijuana in Kentucky, click here. For more information on marijuana use in Kentucky for patients and caregivers, click here.
Related Stories:
- Medical cannabis business applications open next week in Kentucky
- Kentucky cities rush to regulate medical marijuana businesses
- Application process will begin this summer for Kentucky businesses seeking medical marijuana license
- Kentucky House passes bill focused on medical marijuana use in K-12 students
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