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Months of waiting: Kentucky still navigating its medical marijuana rollout

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories centers on Kentucky's medical marijuana rollout, focusing on the wait both patients and businesses face as the program develops.

There have been delays triggered by legal requirements, business licensing lotteries, and the need to build an in-state supply chain.

Read more about the rollout below.

Cloned plants at the Trulieve medical marijuana facility in Quincy on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017.

NO. 1: KY AWARDS MARIJUANA DISPENSARY LICENSES FOR FAYETTE, JEFFERSON COUNTIES. WHO GOT ONE?

The state hosted its final business lottery ahead of the 2025 launch of medical cannabis in Kentucky. | Published December 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Strange Ranch’s established cannabis farm is an opportunity for an entrepreneur. By Robert Borsdorf Media

NO. 2: HOW MANY JOBS COULD MEDICAL MARIJUANA BRING TO KENTUCKY? WHAT ONE STATE OFFICIAL ESTIMATES

It could be months before cardholders are able to legally buy products in the Bluegrass State. | Published December 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Florida voters will decide whether to legalize adult use of marijuana in November.

NO. 3: HOW MANY KENTUCKIANS WANT A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD? HERE’S HOW MANY HAVE APPLIED

Early data from the state’s Office of Medical Cannabis shows the cards are in demand. | Published January 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Two New York marijuana growers died after becoming infected with a fungus commonly found in bat poop, doctors said.

NO. 4: KENTUCKY ISSUES ITS FIRST MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARDS. HERE’S HOW MANY WERE GIVEN OUT

A former Fayette County teacher was among the first cards issued Thursday. | Published January 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Strange Ranch’s established cannabis farm is an opportunity for an entrepreneur. By Robert Borsdorf Media

NO. 5: WILL I HAVE TO GIVE UP MY GUN FOR A KY MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD? ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS

How much will I be able to buy? Do I have any workplace protections? Here’s what experts say on these and more. | Published February 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

A former state employee is accused of using her job to forge a medical marijuana card, South Dakota prosecutors said.

NO. 6: A MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY COULD SOON BE OPENING AT THIS LEXINGTON LOCATION

The Herald-Leader spoke to two the Arkansas entrepreneurs planning to open a drive-thru medical marijuana dispensary. | Published June 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd Piper Hansen

Ready-to-drink THC-infused beverages are photographed at Cannabuzz, a cannabis cocktail lounge at 938 Manchester Street in Lexington, Ky., on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 7: HOW ONE LEXINGTON CANNABIS BAR OWNER IS ADAPTING TO NEW INDUSTRY RULES

Since founding the CannaBuzz Bar & Dispensary, Annie Rouse and her business partners have adapted to a swath of shifting rules and misconceptions cast on the hemp and cannabis industries. | Published June 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Piper Hansen

A worker from Aladdin’s Glass drills new frames into the walls during construction of a new dispensary on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the old Frisch's Big Boy in Hamburg in Lexington, Ky.

NO. 8: WHO IS BEHIND CENTRAL KY’S MEDICAL MARIJUANA BUSINESSES? WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THEM

Several Central Kentucky medical marijuana dispensaries are planning fall openings. | Published July 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

A former state employee is accused of using her job to forge a medical marijuana card, South Dakota prosecutors said.

NO. 9: MEDICAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATOR OPENS FOR BUSINESS IN KY. WHEN DO SALES START?

As of July, 11,000 Kentuckians can use medical marijuana. But it can’t be purchased in the Bluegrass State yet. | Published July 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

marijuana growing inside of a grow room

NO. 10: WHO IS SEEKING A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD IN KENTUCKY? MAINLY WORKING ADULTS

Frustration is growing that cannabis sales haven’t begun in Kentucky. | Published July 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

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NO. 11: KY’S MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM IS 8 MONTHS OLD. BUT PATIENTS ARE STILL WAITING

More than 11,500 Kentuckians are medical cannabis card holders. But they can’t purchase products here. | Published July 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

In this stock image, a young man tends to marijuana plants situated under a grow light. By DaveLongMedia

NO. 12: KY GOV. BESHEAR ASKS TRUMP TO BACK RECLASSIFYING MARIJUANA, SUPPORT ‘MEDICAL FREEDOM’

In a letter to President Donald Trump this week, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear urged the administration to support rescheduling cannabis to a less-restrictive tier despite opposition in Congress. | Published July 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Acquisto

marijuana growing inside of a grow room

NO. 13: HOW SUCCESSFUL IS KENTUCKY’S MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM? HERE ARE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS

Kentucky’s medical marijuana program officially launched early in 2025, but if you’re hoping to legally buy cannabis in-state any time soon, your wait continues. | Published July 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.