FRANKFORT Kentucky’s new medical cannabis program is blazing ahead with a six-month jump start due new legislation signed into law.
Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 829 into law last week that speeds up Kentucky’s medical cannabis program. Initially, cannabis businesses would have to wait to be licensed in January of 2025. The bill Beshear signed begins that process in July of this year.
"We worked with the General Assembly on a solution, and by signing House Bill 829, I am pleased to report that my administration will now be able to issue licenses to medical cannabis businesses in 2024 instead of 2025," Beshear said in a statement.
Businesses will be able to apply from July first through August 31. Applicants have to pay an application fee and file the required papers and documents. A lottery system will award the first round of licenses in October. The state will issue 48 dispensary licenses amongst eleven regions across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Patients can apply for the Kentucky cannabis registry in January 2025