ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — Wednesday was the last day for excused absentee voting in Hardin County. On the ballot — whether the county will allow medical cannabis businesses to set up shop.
At least 67 other counties in Kentucky, and dozens more cities, are considering the same issue.
The cities of Vine Grove and West Point are also considering the measure within their own boundaries. Elizabethtown has already approved cannabis businesses inside its city limits.
"It's a medical service that could help some people," Chuck Spataro, who voted yes on the measure, said. "I want to give those people the opportunity, with their doctors, to take advantage of it."
It's one thing he and Jeff Markle agree on.
"The state of Kentucky already said hemp is okay. I mean, why not? If we're extracting stuff, let's do that the smart way," he said, voting yes, wanting to give people an alternative to pharmaceuticals. "Some people's nervous system can't handle all these chemicals."
Sometimes, those pharmaceuticals don't work at all. That's the case for Julie Cantwell, who treats her son's epilepsy with cannabis from a legal state.
"I am not gonna miss the drive to Michigan. It'll be nice to get it here and support the state and local businesses," she said.
Though she hasn't voted yet, she'll pick yes on allowing cannabis business in the county.
"You don't want to make the drive when you're in a lot of pain. So to have a dispensary close to them would make it easier for a lot of patients," she added.
Ricky Lane Tabor voted no, both for the county and the small, but growing city of Vine Grove.
"It may lead to crime and lead to more harder stuff. People doing harder drugs," he believes.
Deborah Sims has concerns about the number of businesses that could open up, but ultimately voted yes.
"I don't want it to take an empty store and turn it into a 'merry mart,'" she said.
When the medical cannabis law takes effect starting Jan. 1, 2025, some Kentuckians with certain medical conditions and a prescription for the drug can still have it, regardless of a county's vote.
Early voting across the state begins Thursday and runs through Saturday, Nov. 2.
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