Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear provided an update on medical cannabis in the commonwealth following this week’s election. Part of the new system for medical cannabis allowed local governments to make decisions about whether to let medical cannabis businesses operate within their jurisdictions or let voters decide. Twenty-one county governments made the decision to opt out – meaning not to allow medical cannabis businesses – while 39 made the decision to directly authorize these businesses. Fifty-three county governments opted to let voters decide. For cities, 53 opted out or were opted out by action of their counties and 184 decided to stay in.
The Governor announced that all 106 cities and counties that had medical cannabis on the ballot voted to allow medical cannabis businesses to operate in their communities.
“This signals what we have known for a long time, which is that the jury is no longer out on medical cannabis,” said Beshear. “Kentuckians want their families, friends and neighbors who have serious medical conditions – like cancer, multiple sclerosis or PTSD – to have safe and affordable access. We are keeping our promise to make sure they will.”
Earlier this year, the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program received 4,998 applications for medical cannabis business licenses. In September, Beshear issued Kentucky’s first medical cannabis business license to KCA Labs, a hemp testing lab responsible for testing every medical cannabis product before it gets to Kentucky cardholders.
“We are so excited about the opportunity to be part of Kentucky’s medical cannabis program, and we’re thrilled to accept the first license,” said Jonathan Thompson, CEO of KCA Labs. “I want to thank the Governor and the Office of Medical Cannabis for setting up this licensing process, which has been seamless. KCA’s vast knowledge and experience with testing hemp products will translate neatly into Kentucky’s new medical cannabis program. We look forward to helping ensure the program provides the highest-quality products to Kentucky’s cardholders.”
