Overview

• KCA Labs, a hemp-testing facility in Nicholasville, Kentucky, received the first business license for the state's medical cannabis program.
• Governor Andy Beshear emphasized the importance of safety and quality, highlighting KCA Labs' role in testing all products before they reach patients.
• The state will use a lottery system to distribute licenses for growing, processing, and selling medical cannabis, with nearly 5,000 applications submitted.
• Licenses for cultivators and processors will be awarded on October 28, while dispensary licenses are expected to be announced in November.
• The program, set to launch in early 2025, overcame years of legislative hurdles, providing access to medical cannabis for patients with serious conditions like cancer and chronic pain.