The governor of Kentucky says he’s “not satisfied” with the time it’s taken to launch the state’s medical marijuana program, but he anticipates that the pace of patient access will “pick up significantly” in 2026—and that progress includes the new approval of the first cannabis processor business for operations.
Gov. Andy Beshear (D) gave an update on the medical marijuana system during a briefing on Thursday, saying that the processor’s approval means “multiple products” will become “available in the coming weeks for eligible Kentuckians.”
Also this month, the governor said he expects two additional dispensaries will open their doors “once additional product becomes available.”
The state’s first medical cannabis dispensary launched last month, and Beshear said he expects another dispensary to open this month.
“Our priorities are ensuring Kentuckians suffering from serious medical conditions like cancer, PTSD or multiple sclerosis can have access to medical cannabis as soon as possible,” he said.
“We have the cultivators. We now have a processor. And we have dispensaries. This should greatly speed up product coming to dispensaries around the state,” Beshear said. “And I know it feels like it’s taken a long time, but the rules were very specific about how it had to be grown, how it had to be processed if it was going to be in certain products.”
“While none of us are satisfied that there is not more product there yet, what we have done is to create a highly regulated, safe system that’s going to operate pretty smoothly as product comes online,” he said.
The governor said he’s optimistic the state will see “full operation” of the cannabis program, possibly by the middle of the year.
“This was a promise we made. This is a promise we’re keeping.”
Later in the briefing, in response to a reporters’ question, Beshear reiterated that he’s “not satisfied” with the time it’s taken to keep that promise, and he wants “to speed it up.”
“We’re pushing for it, but the crops have got to grow. It’s got to be processed,” Beshear said. “The restrictions inside the law were aimed at a very secure system, which is important, but that also meant it took a little more time than we would have liked. I expect it to pick up significantly, but I’m not going to be satisfied until we’re at 100 percent.”
The governor, who has long championed cannabis reform, previewed the market launch last month, while making the case that medical marijuana will help thousands of patients find an alternative to opioids for pain management.
He made much of crossing a 15,000 patient registration milestone in late October, but that’s evidently grown meaningfully in recent weeks.
Beshear previously acknowledged that “it’s taken longer than we would have liked” to stand up the industry since he signed medical marijuana legalization into law in 2023.
In recognition of that delayed implementation, he signed an executive order to waive renewal fees for patients who get their cards this year so that they don’t get charged again before retailers open. And another order he signed providing protections for qualified patients who obtain medical marijuana outside of Kentucky “will stay in place.”
Beshear separately announced in May that the state had launched a new online directory that lets people see where medical cannabis dispensaries will be opening near them.
He emphasized that the state has been working to deliver access to patients “at the earliest possible date,” and that involved expediting the licensing process. Last January, the governor also ceremonially awarded the commonwealth’s first medical marijuana cards.
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Meanwhile, the governor sent a letter to Kentucky’s congressional delegation last year, “urging them to take decisive action to protect the constitutional rights of our law abiding medical cannabis patients” by repealing the federal ban on gun possession by people who use marijuana.
That came after bipartisan Kentucky senators filed legislation that similarly called on the state’s federal representatives to take corrective action, which Beshear said he supports but would like to see even more sweeping change on the federal level.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) warned Kentucky residents in 2024 that, if they choose to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program, they will be prohibited from buying or possessing firearms under federal law.
Health practitioners have been able to start assessing patients for recommendations since the beginning of last December.
While there currently aren’t any up-and-running dispensaries available to patients, Beshear has further affirmed that an executive order he signed in 2023 will stay in effect in the interim, protecting patients who possess medical cannabis purchased at out-of-state licensed retailers.
During the November 2024 election, Kentucky also saw more than 100 cities and counties approve local ordinances to allow medical cannabis businesses in their jurisdictions. The governor said the election results demonstrate that “the jury is no longer out” on the issue that is clearly supported by voters across partisan and geographical lines.
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