BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – Since 1996, over 30 states across the nation have already legalized the sale and use of medical cannabis.
In Kentucky, the introduction of medical cannabis isn’t in place just yet, but it is taking a large step. Starting on July 1, businesses and medical practitioners wishing to apply for medical cannabis licenses may do so.
This new window of opportunity stems from Senate Bill 47, signed on March 31, which legalized medical cannabis in Kentucky, and House Bill 829, signed on April 17 allowing for the new application to open. Both were signed by Governor Andy Beshear into law.
The commonwealth will initially issue 48 dispensary licenses divided into 11 regions. Each region will receive at least four licenses each, except Lexington and Louisville, which will be allowed two each.
While local business Hilltopper Hemp does not plan to apply for a license at this time, owner Matthew Bratcher spoke on the benefits cannabis could have on the state.
“Anytime a cannabis industry opens up in a place you know you’ve got new payroll taxes that the community can collect,” Bratcher said. “You’ve got new employment taxes and other things. You’ve got new employees. So you know, we’re going to see new jobs, we’re going to see, you know, everything that comes along with new jobs.”
Apart from the business side, medical cannabis could help Kentuckians get healthier through the metabolic functioning, energy storage, and nutrient transport aspects cannabis brings.
“ think you know, once we really start seeing it, I think you’ve seen a lot of it already with the hemp program. A lot of people really getting healthy by adding cannabinoids into the system. You know, as a society our endocannabinoid systems are habitually depleted, and introducing cannabis back into our systems into our bodies is just a great way to,” he said. “Find that balance within yourself and you know, just live a little healthier life.”
The window for the application closes on August 31. The lottery to determine what businesses will be approved will be in early October.
People will be able to file for an individual medical cannabis card on January 1, 2025.
For more information on the application process and the Office of Medical Cannabis, feel free to check out their website.
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