LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Technical problems with Kentucky’s online medical cannabis card portal have prompted a Lexington business to take on the necessary paperwork to help patients avoid application issues.

Medical Marijuana Card KY focuses on streamlining the process so patients don’t encounter problems when applying for their state-issued medical cannabis cards, according to the doctors who operate the business.

Doctors Melody Turpin and Laura Elizabeth Hummel say patients going online to get their medical cannabis card from the state face challenges with the application process.

“So this is the email verification link that the state sends while you are creating a patient portal however the email goes to the spam folder immediately and the link does not work inside the spam folder,” Turpin said.

Email verification problems create barriers

Turpin said some patients may not know how to check spam folders, creating additional hurdles in the application process.

“It doesn’t work in the folder so you have to first move the email from your spam to your inbox and then the link will work that’s just one of the technical glitches the state needs to work out through their IT department,” she said.

The doctors have heard complaints from patients about the online system.

“First off, there are some patients who don’t use the internet regularly and don’t have an email that they use regularly and some who’ve never set up an email,” Hummel said.

Business helps more than 100 patients

To streamline the process, the two doctors have taken over all online application paperwork, helping more than 100 patients, including getting notary signatures.

“Patients have said that they are very grateful to have us do everything for them and everyone leaves feeling relieved,” Hummel said.

Casey Flippo, CEO of Gold Leaf Management, said the service helps patients navigate the system. Once operational, he will manage the Speakeasy dispensary located in Hamburg.

“What that does is that eases the burden,” Flippo said.

Flippo has held medical cannabis card drive events and says the business model is efficient.

“They can actually notarize on the spot and then they can help distribute the paperwork into the state on behalf of the patient to take that barrier away from that individual,” he said.

Product availability remains limited

Despite the application assistance, product availability remains an issue as 2025 nears its end.

“That’s disappointing… it’s been a disappointment honestly,” Turpin said.

“I am frustrated like everyone else,” Hummel said.

Flippo said he understands the state’s position and the time needed to build infrastructure.

“I think that now is the time to celebrate the time that we are on the back end of that waiting period and hopefully we have a really merry Christmas,” he said.

The Speakeasy dispensary building is complete. Flippo aims to hold a soft launch in mid to late December.

State officials did not respond to requests for comment on the online portal technical issues.

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