MAYFIELD, Ky. — Kentucky and Mayfield officials broke ground Wednesday on a State38 LLC facility, one of seven labs in the state set to test medical cannabis for safety before distribution.

Gov. Andy Beshear, who was in attendance and signed a bill to legalize medical cannabis starting Jan. 1 this year, said the city of Mayfield will play a key role in the New Kentucky Home, which is intended to be a modernized platform for industry.

After the December 2021 tornado, Beshear said his administration has remained committed in revitalizing Mayfield through housing, business and economic development. He said the new State38 LLC Medical Cannabis Safety Compliance Facility continues to fulfill that promise.

Beshear specifically mentioned how the state has allocated roughly $60 million in business expansions for Mayfield during his tenure, which will create more than 800 jobs statewide. With State38 investing over $1 million in the facility as well, he said other businesses will be motivated to establish in Mayfield, echoing the resilience of the community.

“Those that have been through the worst of the worst deserve the best of the best. We are celebrating you being a part of this new industry,” Beshear said. “Graves County is going to have [medical cannabis] access for patients, and it’s also going to see new wages and investment coming into the community.”

Beshear said that medical cannabis can be a vital resource for those suffering from chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction and other debilitating conditions. He said the legislative push beginning in 2023 and current rollout for medical cannabis will ultimately improve equitable opportunities for healthcare.

Beshear highlighted that nearly 15,000 Kentuckians have received clinical certification for medical cannabis, along with 10,000 residents who have successfully applied for and were granted a medical cannabis card. He attributed these milestones to the bipartisan collaboration that prioritized needs over political division.

“It’s proof that every Kentuckian in every neighborhood and zip code can be part of Kentucky’s overall success, and they can feel that success in making their lives just a little easier,” Beshear said. “Putting our differences aside and working for the betterment of everyone… what we’ve done is grab a hold of what’s important.”

Beshear added that the rigorous testing of State38 and other testing facilities will ensure cannabis from cultivators is free of contaminants before it’s sent to dispensaries. He noted that the dispensary for Graves County selected through the license lottery is Green4U, which is set to be constructed soon.

“I’m excited to see this new industry take root right here in Graves County because I believe healthcare is a basic human right,” Beshear said. “We are celebrating a facility that will help us ensure that every Kentuckian with a qualifying condition has access to safe, quality medical cannabis.”

Tannette Henson, the owner of State38 and a lifelong Graves County resident, said that the company’s namesake is that Kentucky is the 38th state to legalize medical marijuana. She expressed gratitude and optimism in contributing to the latest innovation in Kentucky industry and healthcare.

Henson said the integrity of State38 will maintain that every cannabis test is to the highest ethical and scientific standards, while values of transparency provide consumers with clear information. She said the facility will function as an intermediary between cultivators and dispensaries to verify that the cannabis adheres to regulations.

“Our mission is simple: to test what’s being sold in the commonwealth so patients know what they’re buying is safe, pure and what it claims to be,” Henson said. “They deserve to know the full truth behind what’s in it and how it was handled. Cannabis standards and strands are complex, but if used in the appropriate way, it can be a miracle treatment service.”

Henson said she has witnessed medical cannabis make a significant impact on the quality of life in people with gastrointestinal problems, glaucoma and diabetes. She said these benefits caused her to reconsider common biases around the substance, which she encouraged for the community to dispel any fears.

“Growing up on a little farm of Symsonia, I definitely didn’t dream of becoming the owner of a safety compliance facility, but I did dream of helping people,” Henson said. “That’s what we intend to do. I realized that, when medical cannabis is provided in the right creation, it provides people relief and hope for their ailments.”

Will Spencer is a reporter for the Mayfield Messenger.