FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) – Governor Andy Beshear has made several new announcements regarding medical marijuana in the state.
Gov. Andy Beshear said providing Kentuckians with access to health care and building safe communities has been a priority of his administration since the beginning.
“More than a year ago, I signed Senate Bill 47, which will legalize medical marijuana in the Commonwealth beginning in January 2025. It's coming soon,” Beshear said.
Beshear signed House Bill 829 in April, allowing the state to begin issuing business licenses this year.
“We recognize that patients need access to life-changing medicines sooner rather than later, and our administration wanted to make sure we can issue licenses this year,” Beshear said.
Governor Beshear said the state has received more than 5,000 applications. Only 48 licenses will be issued.
On Thursday, he issued the state's first medical marijuana business license to KCA Labs in Nicholasville.
“KCA brings industry-wide reputation, expertise, quality, and equity to provide program licensees with reliable compliance data while ensuring companies meet critical state safety requirements for medical cannabis products. We are ready to confirm,” KCA said. Labs CEO Jonathan Thompson.
Beshear also announced that the state lottery for growers and processors will be held on Oct. 28.
“Tiller tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 applicants and processor applicants will be notified one week in advance if they are approved for the license lottery,” Governor Beshear said. .
As for dispensary licenses, Beshear said he is holding off on announcing a date for the lottery for now. However, he said things are progressing well and the lottery is likely to be held in November.
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