Kentucky Opens Applications for Medical Cannabis Business Licenses

LOS ANGELES- Kentuckians can now apply for cannabis business licenses, and medical providers can seek permission to prescribe cannabis through Kentucky’s Board of Medical Licensure and Board of Nursing. This follows the enactment of bipartisan House Bill 829, which accelerated the medical cannabis timeline from January 2025 to July 1, 2024.

The 2023 legislative session legalized medical cannabis for patients with chronic illnesses such as PTSD and cancer. However, patients cannot apply for cannabis cards until January 1, 2025.

Applications for cannabis business licenses will remain open until August 31, 2024. Kentucky will distribute a limited number of licenses to cultivators and dispensers via a lottery system to ensure equity. The state will award 48 dispensary licenses across 11 regions, 10 processor licenses, and 16 cultivator licenses. The winners are expected to be announced in October.

Governor Andy Beshear supports the lottery system, emphasizing its role in maintaining fairness by preventing wealthier entities from dominating the application process.

Applicants must pay a fee and submit documentation, including business history, operating plans, and financial details.

Sam Flynn, Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis, highlighted the program’s focus on fairness, transparency, and customer service. Representative Jason Nemes, the primary sponsor of HB 829, noted that the new timeline marks significant progress in providing safe medical cannabis to Kentuckians in need.

“We’re taking the regulatory process seriously,” Nemes said, “and looking forward to seeing it move forward.”