Kentucky receives nearly 5,000 applications for medical marijuana dispensaries

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The state is sifting through an avalanche of applications from businesses hoping to be picked for Kentucky's medical marijuana rollout.

Gov. Andy Beshear said the state received nearly 5,000 applications — which is more than what was anticipated.

Almost 90% of the applications came in at the last minute during the last four days of the application period that closed at the end of August.

Despite that, the Office of Medical Cannabis is still on track to start issuing licenses in the next few weeks.

"Today, the results are clear," Beshear said in a news release Thursday. "The incredible interest in this process, especially among Kentuckians, is proof that this program has met that goal and is set up for success now and moving forward."

Kentucky will issue 48 dispensary licenses across the state using a lottery system. The lottery dates will be announced in the next few weeks. Those businesses can start selling medical marijuana in Kentucky starting in January.

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

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.

Applications for medical marijuana cards will open Jan. 1, 2025.

In order to be eligible, people must have a qualifying medical diagnosis

Any type or form of cancer;
Chronic or severe pain;
Epilepsy or other intractable seizure disorder;
Multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, or spasticity;
Chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting syndrome; or
Post-traumatic stress disorder

Kentucky residents also must have no disqualifying felony offenses.

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

Previous Coverage: