Kentucky’s medical marijuana law kicks in Jan. 1, but there are still a lot of unknowns

A medical marijuana passed this year in Kentucky, and starting Jan. 1, 2025, it will officially be legal.But will it be ready? Not immediately. Watch coverage from the last lottery in the player above.For one, people aren’t even allowed to apply for their cards until Wednesday. Two, there’s been no word on if any product is ready.Plus, we haven’t heard of any dispensaries opening, or even where they will be (besides county — keep reading). And those dispensaries will need to be inspected.So in short, don’t expect any immediate access in Kentucky as the New Year arrives.What we know about the timelineThe law goes into effect on Jan. 1, and that’s when patients can apply for cards. Patients have been able to see approved doctors since earlier this month to get their written certification needed to apply.Companies selected to open dispensaries were just picked at the end of November and mid-December. Cultivators and processors were selected at the end of October.So, a lot of the necessary components didn’t really start coming together until the last couple months of the year.Can you still get cannabis if dispensaries aren’t open?Yes, back in 2022, Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order allowing people with certain conditions to have a small amount of medical marijuana that is legally purchased in another state. So, you could buy in other states, like Ohio, Illinois, Missouri or Virginia, where it is fully legal, but you can not have more than 8 ounces.And you must keep your receipt and have proof of a qualifying condition.Where dispensaries will be While exact locations are not yet known, the lotteries did tell us some of the counties that will have them.Each LLC filed in a certain county, and if a county was selected more than once, only the first company picked gets to stay there. The others will have to pick another unoccupied county in their designated region, and we don’t yet know where those companies will go.This map shows which counties were selected (again, these are not exact locations):Can’t see the map? Click here.Each county can only have one dispensaries with the exception of Louisville and Lexington, which each get two. How can you get a card?First things first, patients need to get a certification from an authorized doctor.🔎 Find a doctor Then, you can get your card starting Jan. 1. You’ll be able to apply for that online. 🔎 Find the application portalOnce you apply, you’ll receive an application decision from the cabinet, and then be able to download your registry ID card. The cardholder fee is $25 annually. Which conditions apply?Via Kentucky’s Office of Medical Cannabis:Any type or form of cancer, regardless of stage;Chronic or debilitating pain, epilepsy or any other seizure disorder;Multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, or spasticity;Chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting syndrome that has been proven resistant to other conventional medical treatments;Post-traumatic stress disorder; and,Any other medical condition or disease that the Kentucky Center for Cannabis determines. What questions do you have about medical marijuana? Email them to us at wlkydigital@hearst.com and we’ll try to get them answered.