You can now apply for a Kentucky medical marijuana card. See how in our step-by-step guide

With the start of the new year comes a new medical cannabis program in the Bluegrass State, and as of Wednesday, Jan. 1, eligible residents can apply for their card.

After months of preparation, the state’s new Office of Medical Cannabis is set to open the portal for cardholder applications, ushering the first true look at demand for medical marijuana in Kentucky. State officials have not publicly given a prediction on expected demand, but have said they anticipate the industry will bring hundreds of jobs to the state.

Despite the opening of the cardholder portal Jan. 1, it is unclear how soon qualifying Kentuckians will actually be able to purchase cannabis products. All products sold here must be grown, processed and tested in Kentucky facilities, which were only recently licensed over the past few months.

As such, Gov. Andy Beshear has noted it could be months before the first dispensaries open and products hit shelves.

If you are considering or are ready to apply for your Kentucky medical cannabis card, here’s what you should know about the process and how to navigate it.

Who is qualified to get a medical marijuana card in Kentucky?

Compared to other states that allow medical marijuana, Kentucky has a narrow list of health conditions that potentially qualify a resident as a patient.

Those six conditions are:

• Cancer of any type or form
• Epilepsy and another intractable seizure disorders
• Chronic or severe pain
• Multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms and spasticity
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Chronic nausea and cyclical vomiting syndrome

Beshear has voiced support for potentially expanding that list of qualifying conditions in the future, but as governor lacks the authority to do so unilaterally. These conditions were covered under a 2022 executive order from Beshear that essentially decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis for those carrying a written certification from a doctor.

While that executive order will remain in place for the time being, the written notes certifying an individual has a qualifying condition are not accepted in the new cardholder application process.

Instead, patients must meet in person with an authorized medical doctor or licensed nurse practitioner involved in the state program. Potential medical cannabis patients younger than 18 must have the appropriate certification from a practitioner, along with documentation of the medical condition from a “practitioner other than the medicinal cannabis practitioner who provided the written certification” under the law.

To find a practitioner, with whom you must establish a “bona fide relationship” with under the law, you can use the state’s online practitioner directory. The tool allows you to search by city, county, ZIP code and specialty.

Those state-authorized practitioners could begin meeting with patients and filing electronic certifications to the state office as of Dec. 1.

I’ve seen a doctor. How do I apply for a medical marijuana card in Kentucky?

That electronic certification issued by a practitioner is the first step in applying for your card. It is valid for 60 days after issuance.

Once your certification has been submitted to the state, you can visit the Patient and Caregiver Registry Portal at kymedcan.ky.gov to submit your application.

In addition to the electronic certification, you will be asked to provide some personal information, as well as information on your practitioner, a notarized signature form and more. For caregivers submitting applications for minors, there is additional documentation required, including the signature from a legal guardian.

The application fee for a medical marijuana card in Kentucky is $25. State officials have said they intentionally kept the annual fee low to remove some barriers to access.

The state office did not immediately respond Tuesday for a request for comment ahead of the Jan. 1 launch.

If approved, your card will be issued electronically and good for one year. Officials have recommended cardholders save it to their electronic devices, as well as print paper copies. The card will be required to purchase at medical cannabis dispensaries once they are operational.

What are the limits on medical marijuana in Kentucky? Can I be denied?

The state has laid out three main qualifications for cardholders: you must be a resident of Kentucky, you must have a qualifying condition and you cannot have a “disqualifying felony offense.”

There is an application and short-term card for those visiting the state, which allows qualifying patients to purchase and have marijuana products for a brief period.

Some potential patients may be denied if they have a felony offense the state has determined makes them ineligible under the program. Those include violent felonies and felony violations of controlled substance laws. There are two exceptions under the law, including for those who served the terms of their felony sentence at least five years ago.

If you are approved for a medical marijuana card, there are limits placed on what you can purchase. Generally, cardholders are limited to a 30-day supply of their product in a 25-day period. For caregivers, that limit is per patient. Your practitioner also has the ability to further limit your supply amounts and the type of product you can purchase during the certification process.

Visiting patients are allowed up to a 10-day supply in an eight-day window.

Smoking weed remains illegal in Kentucky, even for cardholders, and cannabis remains illegal at the federal level. Cardholder status should allow patients the ability to legally transport their products, within limits, from a dispensary to their homes.

In addition to transport and purchase, cardholders are also generally limited from storing more than their allocated amount in their home.

How can I learn more about medical marijuana in Kentucky?

The state office is offering a series of educational webinars about the program throughout the year.

Executive Director of the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program Sam Flynn has reported registration demand for the webinars has been high.

The January webinar is set for Wednesday, Jan. 15, and you can register for it online.

Are you a potential medical cannabis cardholder in Kentucky or interested in the program? Our service journalism team would like to talk to you. Fill out our Know your Kentucky form below or email ask@herald-leader.com.