This past Monday marked the opening of a new era for the Bluegrass State as applications for medical marijuana business licenses officially opened. With a limited number of licenses available, the race is on to become one of the pioneering entities in Kentucky‘s emerging medical cannabis industry.
New Chapter for Kentucky, Medical Marijuana
In March 2023, Kentucky Bill SB 47 was signed into law, establishing a medicinal cannabis program. This move set the stage for the recent opening of applications for medical marijuana business licenses, a process accelerated by the signing of HB 829. Originally scheduled to begin in January 2025, the program’s start date has been advanced to July 1st, allowing businesses ample time to prepare for a 2025 launch.
Types of Licenses Available
Cultivator: Responsible for planting, raising, harvesting, trimming, and curing raw plant material
Processor: Responsible for processing and packaging raw plant material into usable product formats
Safety compliance facility: Responsible for contamination and purity testing of raw plant material and products
Dispensary: Responsible for purchasing and selling finished products to cardholders
Kentucky is issuing a limited number of licenses—16 for cultivators, 10 for processors, and 48 for dispensaries. Additionally, there are no caps on safety compliance facilities that test cannabis for purity and contamination.
The application window is now open, and businesses have until August 31 to submit their applications. Applications are only accepted online, which you can find here.
A Limited Opportunity For Medical Marijuana Businesses
With only a limited number of licenses available, competition is expected to be fierce. Applicants must demonstrate they have enough capital to run a cannabis business. The application fees range from $3,000 to $20,000, depending on the size of the facility, and they are non-refundable.
If there are more approved applications than available licenses, a lottery will be held in October to select the winners. Governor Andy Beshear believes this approach ensures a fair process, preventing larger companies from monopolizing the market. “It creates a more fair process,” he said back in April of last year. “Not one where people bid against each other and only then the big companies can be a part of it.”
The Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program has 15 calendar days to acknowledge receipt of an application, followed by up to 45 calendar days to approve or deny it. If there are any issues with the application, the applicant will have a 10-calendar-day “curing of deficiencies” period to make corrections.
Once the licenses are awarded, businesses will begin setting up their operations in preparation for the program’s official start in January 2025. This accelerated timeline aims to make medical cannabis available to patients as soon as the law goes into effect. The state has already issued a series of webinars, an application guide, and other materials to assist applicants in navigating the process.
Medical Marijuana Coming January 2025
For patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as PTSD, cancer, or other approved medical conditions, the availability of medical marijuana offers a new avenue for relief.
However, they will not be able to apply for cannabis cards until January 1. In the meantime, doctors and advanced practice registered nurses can begin submitting their applications to certify eligible patients to buy medical marijuana.
The opening of medical marijuana business license applications in Kentucky marks a significant milestone in the state’s history. It’s a step forward for patients seeking alternative treatments and for businesses looking to enter a promising new market. The application process is rigorous as with any new cannabis industry in a state, but with the right preparation, it presents a unique opportunity to be part of something groundbreaking.
For those interested in applying, remember that the portal remains open until August 31. Take your time, gather all necessary documentation, and consider seeking legal assistance to ensure your application stands out. The future of medical marijuana in Kentucky looks bright, and this is your chance to be a part of it.
