LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Less than 11 months to go until medical marijuana is officially allowed to be available in Kentucky.
However, the clock is ticking as the program is currently still in the phase of creating regulations. That has to be completed by July 1.
Despite interest by groups looking to start up a cannabis business in the Bluegrass, it remains unclear when the licensing process will begin.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services has not given a definitive timeframe.
"I think that we'll see the application process open somewhere between August to October," Paula Savchenko, founding partner of Cannacore Group, said.
Her firm, officed in South Florida, provides legal assistance to folks and companies looking to get in the business of legalized marijuana.
"We are a multi-state cannabis licensing firm," Savchenko said.
She acknowledges that she already has clients lined up, both in-state and out-of-state, hoping to apply for and receive a license to grow and sell medical marijuana in Kentucky.
Once the application process finally opens up, from her experience, it will take at least two to six months for licenses to be granted.
Therefore, the question is whether product will be available the first day it's legal.
"It's very unlikely that we will actually see dispensaries that are able to sell cannabis on January 1st of 2025," Savchenko said. "I believe that we'll see an actual operating, flourishing market somewhere between six months to a year after January 2025."
There are two key factors for this.
Prospective cultivators and producers will wait to build and set up operations until they get a license. Then seeds will need to be planted.
"Even if there's a group that receives a license that is turnkey, and they're ready to go, they still need four months before they're able to have their first harvest and get products to the dispensaries," Savchenko pointed out.
Since cannabis in Kentucky, by law, will have to be grown entirely indoors and enclosed, the options are building one of those facilities from the ground up, or buying or leasing existing space, such as a warehouse or greenhouse, to retrofit with industry equipment.
Savchenko says the bigger, more established cannabis companies usually prefer to find land to build on.
However, those who want to be first to market often move into a smaller space for cultivation while construction is going on. They might move in grow containers or "pods," which are already fitted with growing equipment.
Bottom line is medical marijuana in Kentucky is going to take time, likely much more time than the remaining 11 months.
The official state website for the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program, states that purchasing medical marijuana by written certification begins Jan. 1, 2025.
However, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services said to FOCUS:
"Under current law, the cabinet cannot issue licenses until Jan. 1, 2025. The General Assembly can pass legislation to move up that date. If the General Assembly passes legislation moving up the date the cabinet will be ready to start the licensing process this year."
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