LEXINGTON, Ky. (WSAZ) – The medical cannabis program in Kentucky is rolling out.

It became legal on Wednesday opening the portal for people to apply as a cardholder.

To qualify, applicants must be 21 or older, have no felony record, and obtain a written certification from a doctor.

Currently, only six medical conditions qualify:

• Cancer
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Epilepsy
• Chronic pain
• Severe nausea

Industry experts believe it will likely take several months before sales begin as businesses set up.

Kentucky law requires that all medical cannabis products be grown, processed, and sold within the state.

Executive Director Matthew Bratcher with Kentucky NORML, which is a marijuana law reform organization, said he’s hopeful the rollout of the statewide program is not too delayed.

“It is always going to be a slow process. When the industry first starts, the products will be very expensive,” Bratcher said.

In a letter to federal firearms licensees, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives explains that it is illegal for “any person who is an ‘unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance…’ from shipping, transporting, receiving or possessing firearms or ammunition.”

Under federal law, marijuana is considered a controlled substance, even when used for medicinal purposes.

Bratcher said the federal statute has been challenged in states through the years, citing most recently a case in U.S. District Courts in both Oklahoma and Texas. Those cases ruled the federal law unconstitutional, but neither case made its way to the Supreme Court.

If a person wants to enroll in the medical cannabis program and owns firearms, Bratcher recommends they talk with a firearms attorney about the law, consider selling their firearms, or transfer ownership of the firearms to a trusted family or friend.

While restrictions are in place, Bratcher said advocates of the program can use this as an opportunity to push for change.

“Let our representatives in Washington know this is something they could do to make it easier for us. This would be a good thing for the state to lead on. We’re number 38, but this is an important thing that affects all of the country when it comes to Second Amendment rights,” Bratcher said.

Copyright 2025 WSAZ. All rights reserved.