Gov. Beshear fast-tracks medical cannabis licensing

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., has signed House Bill 829 into law, moving the timeline for medical cannabis business licensing from Jan. 1, 2025 to July 2024. 

“This administration has been working hard to expedite the timeline for making medical cannabis available,” Beshear said. “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.”

The Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program has also filed regulations to meet the new timeline, providing guidelines on applying to become licensed medical cannabis businesses. This includes creating a licensing structure; an application process, review process and timeline; and application and licensing fees. More information can be found on its website.

Businesses can apply for a cannabis business license between July 1 and Aug. 31 under the new regulations. The governor’s office said applicants will need to pay an application fee and submit documentation, including a business history, operation plans, ownership information, financial information, business location and site plans.

“We are excited that the program will be able to issue licenses in 2024 rather than 2025,” said Eric Friedlander, Cabinet for Health and Family Services secretary. “From its inception, the program has been focused on ensuring patients with serious medical conditions like cancer, PTSD, multiple sclerosis and other symptoms and conditions have safe access to medical cannabis.”

Sam Flynn, executive director of the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program, said the program focuses on ensuring licensing is fair and transparent. The program has partnered with the Kentucky Lottery Corporation to issue medical cannabis business licenses through a lottery system, an approach other states have used.

There will be 10 licenses available for processors and 48 licenses for dispensaries, the governor’s office said. Dispensary licenses will be issued in 11 regions, ensuring Kentuckians with qualifying conditions such as cancer and PTSD have the shortest drive possible to a dispensary.