OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) — As Kentucky legalizes medical marijuana next year, several cities and counties have spent the past few months deciding whether to allow medical marijuana businesses in their areas. I've been doing it. About 103 local governments are asking voters to decide on this year's vote with a simple “yes” or “no” question.
“There are about 53 counties, I think 50 cities have this on their ballots, and that has been confirmed with the State Board of Elections,” says Sam Flynn, executive director of the Medical Cannabis Program.
Roughly 5,000 companies in Kentucky want to be one of the 48 companies granted licenses to sell medical marijuana, but they have no idea whether it will be allowed in their cities or counties. Maybe? More than 100 cities and counties say it will be up to voters this year. The question on the ballot will be: “Do you support the sale of medical marijuana and the operation of other cannabis businesses in licensed dispensaries?”
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There can only be four businesses in each region, and only one business in each county. Exceptions are allowed in Jefferson and Fayette counties 2.
“If you opt-in, anyone licensed in your jurisdiction will be able to begin operating a business. Once a business has been issued a license, if a jurisdiction opts out, our firm will We are flexible enough to allow acquirers to move to another jurisdiction that allows medical marijuana operations,” Flynn said.
Although the vote only applies to business operations such as growers, processors, and pharmacies, cardholders can take medications in any jurisdiction.
Voters in some counties will be asked twice. For example, residents of Sebree will be required to respond because it applies to both the city level and Webster County.
“If a city opts out but a county opts in, unincorporated spaces and other cities in their jurisdiction that have not voted remain in place. The cities that opted out are excluded… and Again, this only applies to operating a cannabis business,” Flynn said.
Flynn says it works like a dry vote.
Officials say the local government had some concerns, but worked hard to make sure everyone involved was comfortable.
“They were concerned about having a pharmacy on every street corner. We want to make sure patients have access to medicines across the state. We don't want to create a medical desert. “We want to ensure that not only are they safe, but that health care is safe in the community. So we looked at a limited initial licensing structure, issuing 48 dispensary licenses.” says.
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