Kentucky Receives Nearly 5,000 Applications for Medical Cannabis Business Licenses

LOS ANGELES- Kentucky officials have received 4,998 applications for medical cannabis business licenses as part of the state’s newly established medical cannabis program, Gov. Andy Beshear announced. The majority of applications (4,076) were for dispensary permits, though only 48 will be awarded through a lottery in October. The state has collected nearly $28 million in application fees.

The program, initiated through an executive order in 2022, saw a flood of applications in the final days of the submission period, with nearly 88% filed in the last four days. Kentucky’s Office of Medical Cannabis is working to process the high volume of applications ahead of the lottery, aiming to issue licenses in 2024.

Despite concerns about potential manipulation of the lottery system, state officials assured transparency and fairness in the process. Gov. Beshear reiterated his commitment to maintaining an equitable system while expanding the office’s capacity to review applications. Kentucky’s medical cannabis program is set to go live in 2025.