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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentuckians can now get the certification they need to apply for a medical marijuana card next year.
Obtaining one of those cards is essentially a three-step process. First, patients need to visit a medical cannabis practitioner to get a written certification.
With that certification, patients can submit an application to the state on Jan. 1. If approved, they can download a digital registry ID card, more commonly known as a medical marijuana card.
Questions remain about which doctors patients can visit to get a written certification. Gov. Andy Beshear said a “registered practitioner directory” would be available online starting Dec. 1, where patients can find information about where to go.
But Monday morning, there was no working link available to a directory. In a statement Monday evening, a spokesperson for the governor’s office said the directory was posted, but had to be removed.
“A number of practitioners inadvertently provided their personal contact information, which had to be removed,” the statement read. “We are in the process of uploading the correct information to the directory and adding 12 new practitioners (for a total of 180).”
It’s unclear at this time when that process will be completed and when the directory might be posted.
The major health care providers locally, Norton, UofL Health, and Baptist Health, have not publicly released their medical marijuana policies.
Once qualified patients begin applying on Jan. 1., the state said it will approve or deny applications within 30 days. If approved, the state said patients should be issued a card within five days that will be valid for one year.
There are several conditions that qualify someone for a medical marijuana card. The state said patients applying for one must be diagnosed with cancer, chronic or severe pain, epilepsy or other seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, chronic nausea, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
All medical cannabis sold in Kentucky must be grown and processed in the state. Those cultivators just got their licenses to do so a little over a month ago. They need to get infrastructure in place and pass inspections before they can even begin growing cannabis.
It’s highly unlikely patients will be able to purchase medical marijuana in Kentucky on Jan. 1. The timeline depends on how fast growers can get up and running and how quickly processors can get a product out to dispensaries.
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”}]] Patients have to get a written certification before they can submit an application starting Jan. 1. Read More
