LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A new marijuana cultivator is preparing to open in Madison County, bringing new jobs and additional revenue to the area.

Natural State Green Grass Canna Co., part of the multi-state Dark Horse Cannabis company, will grow, cultivate and process cannabis at a facility in the Richmond Industrial Park. Richmond city officials said the facility will hold a special ceremony Friday.

“It’s a complete program for cultivating, growing, and processing cannabis and then forwarding it on to several outlets that will be located in the commonwealth,” Richmond Mayor Robert Blythe said.

According to the City of Richmond, the organization will employ around 45 people. Officials said the business will generate additional revenue for the city through real estate tax and a 2% payroll tax.

Blythe, who has served as Richmond’s mayor since 2018, said the topic of cannabis has been widely discussed among people living in the commonwealth. He said that conversation, along with recent legislation, brought the city to this point.

“We consented to abide by what the state gave as regulation,” Blythe said.

Currently, Kentucky state law only allows the medicinal use of cannabis. Blythe said this development does not grant people permission to use cannabis recreationally.

“I would hope that folks will understand that this is not a blanket permit for folks to just to acquire and use the cannabis for recreational uses,” Blythe said.

The mayor said overall he sees the development as a positive for both the city and industrial park.

“We expect folks to spend money in other businesses in our community,” Blythe said.

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