BEAVER DAM, Ky. — Kentucky’s pioneering medical cannabis dispensary has temporarily closed after selling out of its entire inventory in just seven days following its historic opening, underscoring the intense demand among patients statewide.

The Post Dispensary in Beaver Dam, the commonwealth’s first and only operating medical cannabis outlet, exhausted its limited stock by Dec. 20, owner Trip Hoffman said.

The shop opened Dec. 13 to long lines and enthusiastic crowds, serving hundreds of card-holding patients eager for regulated products after nearly a year of waiting since the program launched Jan. 1.

“We sold out in seven days,” Hoffman said. “I actually thought it was about exactly what I planned.”

On opening day, patients began queuing as early as 5 a.m., some arriving with sleeping bags and camp chairs. Nearly 400 people showed up, though only about 250 with

Kentucky medical cannabis cardholders waited in line for several hours Saturday, Dec. 13 to finally receive product. Kentucky’s medical cannabis program launched on Jan. 1 2025, under Senate Bill 47. (Spectrum News 1/Julia Narvaez Munguia)

valid medical cards could enter because of state rules barring non-cardholders inside.

Hoffman imposed strict purchase limits, initially one unit per person, to extend the supply as far as possible.

The emotional outpouring from patients surprised staff, with many expressing relief through tears at finally accessing legal alternatives for conditions such as chronic pain and nausea.

“You have people here in tears, so happy that we’re finally open, that they can get legal, regulated, medical-grade products for their needs,” Hoffman said. “We were happy to be a part of that.”

The rapid depletion stems from constrained initial harvests by in-state cultivators, required under Kentucky law. Hoffman maintains close ties with suppliers, including Farmtucky and Dark Horse, and expects fresh deliveries between Jan. 15 and 20.

“We expect that they’ll make their first delivery between the 15th and the 20th of January, which means it will probably open up sometime just shortly thereafter,” he said.

The unplanned closure coincided with the holidays, granting staff an unexpected break while allowing refinements to the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system. As the first dispensary, The Post helped resolve early technical issues, benefiting upcoming locations.

Three additional dispensaries are slated to open in January, with most of the 48 licensed outlets expected online within months.

More than 23,000 Kentuckians hold medical cannabis cards, reflecting strong demand for non-opioid relief options amid the program’s deliberate rollout.