MONTICELLO, Ky. (WKYT) – Construction is underway on what is said to be the first medical cannabis cultivating facility to be built from the ground up in Kentucky.

It’s on KY 1275 in Monticello and is a $25 million investment, which will lead to 75 to 100 jobs.

It follows medical cannabis being legalized in Kentucky, and that law officially took effect in January of this year. However, growing the product, processing it, and dispensing it is lengthy and time-consuming.

On Monday, there was a major step forward in the groundbreaking for a facility to cultivate the product.

Late last year, a lottery was held for cultivators, processors, and dispensaries, and this is a continuation of the cultivation role.

“This is the first groundbreaking from that lottery. This is the first groundbreaking from that medical cannabis initiative, since the bill has been passed,” said Rocky Adkins, Gov. Beshear’s senior advisor.

Kentucky medical cannabis officials say many other cultivators are retrofitting other facilities to grow medical cannabis. Some of them hope to have their product ready by late this summer or early fall.

Officials estimate that 6 million Americans use medical cannabis, and 38 states have legalized it.

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