LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Governor Andy Beshear participated in ribbon cutting ceremonies Tuesday for a medical cannabis cultivation facility in Richmond and a dispensary in Lexington, marking a significant step forward for the industry in Central Kentucky.

The Natural State Green Grass Canna Company facility in Richmond’s industrial park houses thousands of marijuana plants for medical purposes. The facility officially opened for business following the ceremony attended by local dignitaries including Richmond Mayor Robert Blythe.

Job creation and economic impact

The Richmond facility currently employs about 50 people with potential for growth.

“So this is an industry that pays well that people are excited to join that people are looking forward to it’s both given jobs to kentuckians but i’ve already met four people who have moved to kentucky for these types of jobs,” Beshear said.

“These jobs did not exist at this time last year,” Blythe said.

The facility uses a tracking system where each plant has its own barcode to monitor productivity, including bud count and plant height.

Dispensary opening

Two hours after the Richmond ceremony, Beshear helped open the Speakeasy dispensary in Lexington. The Richmond cultivation site produces Dark Horse, a flower product from the marijuana plant that will be sold at the Hamburg dispensary.

The Speakeasy dispensary will open Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Officials expect long lines and say they will try to accommodate people who have to wait outside.

Opposition concerns

The Family Foundation in Kentucky opposes the medical cannabis program, believing it will lead to legal recreational use.

“We’ve already seen some advocates on the pro cannabis side already pivoting at the general assembly to now pushing for bills to support full recreational marijuana and so this confirms our suspicions,” said Jesse Green, legal counsel for the Family Foundation.

Mayor Blythe said he believes the medicine will improve lives and that Richmond is positioned at the forefront of the industry.

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