LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Lexington hemp and cannabis business is making a comeback in time for Lexington’s 250th anniversary of being a city.

Annie Rouse, the owner of Cannabuzz Bar and Dispensary, a cannabis and hemp-themed business, has been hard at work.

On June 21, the business officially reopened doors to its new social space.

From one side to the other, Cannabuzz offers edible products, hemp-made items and cannabis-infused drinks.

Including their newest line of beverages.

“It’s actually been like kind of ten years in the making, more or less from an idea that came to me in graduate school and now it’s come to fruition,” Rouse said.

Rouse said it’s her goal to provide a quality and impactful experience and get products into clients’ hands. 

For Lexington’s 250th anniversary, the space is educating visitors on Kentucky’s long history of hemp cultivation and making room for artists, like Dan Middleton, to showcase their work.

“I found the place and the people are good and we like their product and I enjoy the time we spend here,” he said.

Middleton said Cannabuzz is helping rejuvenate hemp usage.

“Coming from Tampa, originally, they went through legalizing medicinal cannabis use, and took a couple of years for them to work out the kinks. But we didn’t have any opportunity with hemp products like they do here,” Middleton said.

However, according to Senate Bill 202, “an act relating to regulated beverages and declaring an emergency” signed by Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., in March is now in effect and regulating the sale and use of cannabis beverages.

“Created a lot more regulatory controls that are fairly burdensome for the industry because we already were regulated by the Department of Ag and the Department of Health, and we’d set up that regulatory scheme. Now only beverages are regulated by the ABC,” Rouse explained.

Her other concerns are with a tax levied on hemp-infused beverages starting July 1.

“They taxed it like liquor, but we’re only allowed to sell a light beer as a comparison. And so that’s troubling as well. It makes it more expensive,” Rouse said.

Looking ahead, Rouse said they hope to bring a new narrative to the industry.

SB 202 sets the maximum concentration of cannabinoids to five milligrams for each 12-ounce serving. 

It also restricts cannabis-infused drink sales at bars and restaurants, except for festivals until the first of next year.