The Kentucky medical cannabis program has been a topic of significant discussion, especially as the state moves closer to implementing this long-awaited initiative. As with any new program, there have been concerns and criticisms, particularly around the lottery process used to allocate licenses. However, we are confident that this program is meticulously designed to eliminate potential misconduct and ensure a fair and equitable process for all participants.

The Kentucky chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is trying to ease some concerns about the application process for medical cannabis licenses.

"And this is a process where people need to check all their boxes three or four times to make sure everything's correct and to avoid having a deficient application,” said executive director of the Kentucky branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Bratcher. “So, I say by the time this, you know, the deadline approaches, we're going to see a mass influx of applications."

In celebration of the legalization of adult use cannabis in Ohio and anticipation to the roll out of Kentucky’s Medical Marijuana program, I wanted to share the most important lesson I learned when shopping for legal cannabis.

In March 2023, Gov. Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 47, which legalizes medical cannabis in Kentucky starting January 1, 2025. In April, he set up regulations to establish processes and procedures for medical cannabis businesses and registered cardholders. The governor’s office says the intent of the program is to provide safe and affordable access to medical cannabis.

Ohio joined Illinois and Missouri this week as the third state surrounding Kentucky to begin full retail sale of recreational cannabis. People aged 21 or older can now buy and use cannabis within those states. But bringing any back across to Kentucky is still a crime, and can lead to misdemeanor or even felony charges.

With dispensaries in Ohio now selling recreational marijuana, many residents in neighboring Kentucky who use cannabis may be thinking about making a trip across the Ohio River, activists say. "As Ohio gets rec, people are going to be like, 'OK, shorter trip. I don't have to go to Michigan, don't have to go to Illinois,'" said Matthew Bratcher, executive director of the Kentucky Chapter of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, referring to the state's previous two closest neighbors with legal recreational marijuana.

Recreational marijuana sales began in Ohio on Tuesday, so what does this mean for Kentucky? Will Kentuckians drive more than an hour north to purchase and or consume product and bring it back with them back into the Commonwealth even though it’s illegal in Kentucky? We have several perspectives on this issue, from the Fayette County attorney to a man who says he went to jail for two days and spent a thousand dollars in court costs for simple possession of marijuana.

Fake medical marijuana certificates are being sold in Kentucky.

This past week, July 11, 2024 I joined the KYNORML team of Matthew and Lauren Bratcher for my first true cannabis event, The Ohio Classic Golf Tournament and Exposition. I have been to “hemp” events, including a couple of Southern Hemp Expositions, but never a cannabis event in a legal state. To say I was excited is an understatement of epic proportions.