Proposed Bill Could Expedite Cannabis Business Licensing, Dispensary Openings

If approved, a House Committee Substitute to House Bill 829, initially sponsored by Rep. Jason Nemes (R-Middletown), would allow cannabis businesses to obtain business licences and begin manufacturing operations as early as August 1, 2024, months prior to the original date of January 1, 2025.

Current Cannabis Licensing Requirements

In accordance with the Senate Bill 47, no cannabis licenses can be applied for or issued to patients, physicians, caregivers, manufacturers, or dispensaries until January 1, 2025 and cannabis business applications could take as long as 45 days to be processed and approved by the state.

(Sasha Beck/Leafly)

Therefore, cannabis seeds would not be able to be planted to begin the cultivation cycle until this process is completed and the manufacturer is fully licensed. Once seeds are in the ground, the cultivation process can take about 10-32 weeks from seed to harvest.

What does this mean for Kentucky medical marijuana patients?

Medical marijuana sold in Kentucky dispensaries must be grown in Kentucky, so dispensary sales will not be able to commence until there is medical marijuana to be sold. Allowing cannabis manufacturers to be licensed in August would allow for dispensaries to be stocked and ready to sell to licensed medical marijuana patients up to 4 months sooner than originally anticipated.

What are its chances of becoming law?

House Bill 829 and this House Committee Substitute have already passed in the House of Representatives and have moved on to the Senate. The state legislature adjourns on April 15, so there is a looming deadline. The bill and amendment may face a difficult path to passage, but Sam Flynn, exetutive director of the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program, has stated that “we intend to be ahead of schedule” as we move closer to 2025.

Get approved now for medical marijuana use

Although in-state dispensaries will not open until 2025 at the earliest, patients with a qualifying medical condition can get approved by a doctor to use and possess legally purchased marijuana. Find out more about the program here.