LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – A lottery for licenses on Dec. 16 was the latest step in bringing medical marijuana to Louisville and surrounding areas.
Monday’s lottery concluded the distribution of licenses across the state to legally sell marijuana products.
There was a nervous waiting game going on inside the Hemptopia CBD shop off of Brownsboro Road. In trying to get one of those licenses, the owner knew the odds were against him and costs were high.
He sells products designed to help with problems like anxiety. But Hemptopia CBD store owner Joe Boese admits, right now, he’s really nervous.
“Today is the big day,” Boese said. “It’s crunch time.”
It is a big day years in the making.
Boese has put $5,000 into a non-refundable application for one of two licenses to sell medical marijuana in Jefferson County.
Those licenses are up to a lottery where Boese is competing with hundreds of others, many he believes from out of state. And after looking at the results of a previous lottery, he’s worried he’s at a competitive disadvantage.
“This is a good opportunity, and now it’s going out of state,” Boese said. “Which out of all that money, a little will probably stay here, but most of that money is going to go right back out of the state. And nobody from Kentucky is going to benefit from it.”
WAVE News arrived minutes before the lottery to find Boese with friends lending moral support.
And as the lottery begins, Boese considers himself a lucky guy. CBD products helped him get through two bouts with cancer. His hope is to be able to bring needed relief to others. The question is, will his luck hold?
As the lucky numbers are read for two regions, 12 licenses in all, Boese quickly learns this was not his day.
“I wanna cry. It’s disappointing,” Boese said. “And then you hear somebody’s name being repeated twice, it’s just sad for Kentucky I think. I’m happy for the patience. That’s going to get some help, but I am disappointed that not more Kentuckians have got an opportunity.”
Adding to his disappointment, Joe applied for a license in Fayette County as well, and he didn’t win there either.
He hopes that demand for cannabis products will push the state to distribute more licenses in the future, maybe with some allowances for homegrown businesses like his.
Copyright 2024 WAVE. All rights reserved.
A lottery for licenses on Dec. 16 was the latest step in bringing medical marijuana to Louisville and surrounding areas. Read More
