LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Monday’s second medical cannabis dispensary lottery drawing granted 12 licenses to businesses in the Lexington and Louisville areas.

Kentucky’s medical cannabis rollout takes effect January 1, 2025.

Governor Beshear says that now the licenses have been awarded, inspections are the next step for cultivators, processors and dispensaries.

“Making sure we get it right, and that each and every one of these facilities, when they open, is legitimate, has been inspected, that we know that they’re going to do this right and that they know that we are actively monitoring their operations,” Beshear says.

State leaders are also making sure patients and caregivers are ready for the launch.

A practitioner directory launched at the beginning of December is helping patients find an authorized practitioner in their area.

On January 1, the patient and caregiver registry portal will become available to apply for a medical cannabis card.

Currently, eligible conditions include any type or form of cancer; chronic or severe pain; epilepsy or other intractable seizure disorder; multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, or spasticity; chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting syndrome; or post-traumatic stress disorder.

“[A program expansion] that I would really like to see is an expansion of the conditions for which you qualify for being able to use medical marijuana,” Governor Beshear says.

Beginning in January, the state’s Office of Medical Cannabis will host a series of webinars to help potential patients navigate the application process.

The webinars will continue monthly through 2025.

“The process that we have followed, ultimately, has put the patient first and will get them the medicine, the product they need faster than just about in any other state, given how our legal framework was set up,” Governor Beshear says.

Monday’s lottery is Kentucky’s last one for the initial launch of the medical marijuana program. Governor Beshear says he hopes to see the program expanded in the future.

Copyright 2024 WKYT. All rights reserved.