Half of Kentucky’s Licensed Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Have Opened

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said this week the state’s medical cannabis program passed a significant milestone with half of the licensed dispensaries now open for business, LINK nky reports.

The governor’s office also noted there are now more than 25,000 registered medical cannabis cardholders in the state, more than double the number from a year ago. The state is on track to reach $2 million in medical cannabis sales this August after generating $1.87 million in July.

“Reaching the halfway point is a watershed moment for Kentucky’s medical cannabis program. With Blue Sage opening in Lebanon and Sunnyside Prestonsburg opening in October, patients across all 11 Office Medical Cannabis regions will have access to licensed dispensaries. We’re on track to complete the retail network as authorized by the commonwealth.” — Rachel Roberts, Executive Director of the Kentucky Cannabis Industry Alliance, in the report

Kentucky currently has 11 medical cannabis cultivators, five processors, 24 dispensaries, and two testing facilities that are open for business. Meanwhile, five more cultivators, five more processors, and 24 more dispensaries are yet to open.

In June, Beshear rescinded a 2022 order that permitted registered patients to possess out-of-state cannabis products, a protection that the governor said is no longer necessary.