First medical cannabis dispensary opens in Kentucky

BEAVER DAM, Ky. — The Post Dispensary, Kentucky’s first medical cannabis dispensary, opened its doors Saturday morning in Ohio County.

Lisa Myers has been braving the cold since 5 a.m., earning the spot as the first person to purchase medical cannabis from a dispensary in the Commonwealth. 

“Hearing people that talked about it and said that it helped,” said Myers. “I have a lot of nausea and [cannabis] really seems to help with that.” 

Other Kentuckians, like Robert and Amy Conner, drove more than two hours from Monroe County, hoping to find relief from arthritis symptoms without relying on traditional pain medication.

“The caregiver process is really easy,” said Robert. “Definitely recommended for couples. That way, if you can’t, you’ve got somebody who can [get it] for you.”

And it was a long time coming for general manager Trip Hoffman, who Spectrum News last spoke to in October. 

“We’re under a lot of scrutiny because we’re the first,” said Hoffman. “We’re teaching [other dispensaries] that the system isn’t ready for everybody yet. And you don’t find the kinks until you run through it once."

The Post’s opening got delayed several times after cultivators harvested crops in September but required additional time for testing and processing. 

“I do think the product’s going to be a little spotty, at least for a few months,” said Matthew Goeing, of Farmtucky. “We’ve got another harvest toward the end of the month that will probably be available in January.” 

As for the over 23,000 Kentuckians who have already been issued a medical cannabis card, they’re excited to finally see the program move forward, nearly a year after it took effect. 

“[Cannabis] eases my pain, and it doesn’t make me sick,” said Rebecca Bradley, a cardholder. “I throw up whenever I take my pain pills.”

In May, Gov. Beshear signed an executive order to waive the medical card renewal fee for those reapplying in 2026.