Kentucky Gov. Says State’s First Medical Cannabis Dispensary Should Have Products Available Within ‘Next Couple of Weeks’  

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) last week told WLKY that the state’s first medical cannabis dispensary will have products available “within the next couple of weeks.” The governor said he expected the dispensary closest to being operational is the one in Ohio County.  

“But we believe it’s going to scale up, very quickly from that first moment.” — Beshear to WLKY 

In all, there are 48 dispensaries throughout the state, with one per county except for Louisville and Lexington counties, which are allowed two each. 

In October, Beshear announced that more than 15,000 patients had been certified to participate in the state’s medical cannabis program, and more than 500 medical practitioners had been certified to recommend medical cannabis. 

In September, the governor indicated that dispensaries would be serving patients by the end of the year. 

Beshear signed the medical cannabis law in 2023, and it took effect in 2025. In May, he issued an executive order waiving the $25 renewal application fee for the 2026 calendar year for anyone who received a medical cannabis card during 2025.