LEXINGTON, Ky. — The first medical cannabis dispensary in a metropolitan area in Kentucky is opening next week.

Speakeasy Dispensary, located at 1849 Alysheba Way in Lexington, will open its doors to patients who hold medical marijuana cards on Thursday.

It is Kentucky’s second dispensary to open since medical cannabis became legal last year.

The dispensary is themed as a speakeasy, with a hidden door and moody decor. It replaced the Frisch’s Big Boy burger restaurant.

The grand opening is Jan. 15, and only limited products will be available, including four strains of flower.

CEO of Gold Leaf Management Casey Flippo said more products will be in stock in the following weeks.

“We want to make sure that the wholesalers here in Kentucky are caught up enough to be able to consistently supply us with product,” Flippo said.

Gov. Andy Beshear was hopeful the program would be up and running by the end of 2025.

Only one dispensary, The Post in Beaver Dam, opened in Dec. 2025. It quickly closed on Dec. 19 because of high demand and sold-out product.

“We’re making sure that we have enough allocation to where when we open the doors the doors never close,” Flippo said.

Flippo, from Arkansas, is the CEO of Gold Leaf Management, a cannabis operations company that helps businesses in emerging markets across multiple states.

He is also the CEO of Arkansas-based Dark Horse Cannabis, already well established in Arkansas and Missouri.

“Knowing what I understand about cannabis and the process that goes into propping up these markets, this is a very, very quick implementation,” Flippo said.

When asked if products will be affordable, Flippo said, “I don’t want to distinguish what is affordable and what is not affordable because that range is going to be very different for a multitude of people.”

“What I can tell you is don’t get shell shocked out of the gate in the event it is higher than what you expect. Do have confidence it will regulate over time,” Flippo added.

Flippo said cannabis wholesalers set the market rates and Speakeasy will “offer that at effectively keystone. If we buy it for $20, we’ll sell it for $40.”

He said Speakeasy will offer loyalty programs and discounts for seniors, compassionate care and military.

“I know a lot of patients have been sitting on their cards ready for the market to open,” Flippo said. “It just takes a lot of time to grow that infrastructure and grow everything in Kentucky so everything you’ll see in our stores is Kentucky grown.”

Speakeasy Dispensary will open at 10 a.m. on Jan. 15.