Medical cannabis dispensaries are coming to Kentucky, and local governments are getting prepared, including introducing more regulations.In Metro Louisville, an ordinance has been introduced to further regulate them.In Bullitt County, the fiscal court is thinking about putting the question to voters.And in Elizabethtown and Oldham County, ordinances have been filed to ban them outright.Across Kentucky, local governments are considering what – if anything – to do about medical cannabis dispensaries, which can open to the public in January. Time is of the essence, many local leaders say, because the state permit application process begins on July 1.”We just want to make sure we get ahead of it,” said La Grange Mayor John Black, who attended a seminar last week held by the Kentucky League of Cities. Nothing has been filed in LaGrange yet, but Black said he anticipates some additional local rules.State lawmakers legalized medical cannabis last year and dispensaries can open to the public in January. Kentucky’s law has been described as “the strictest in the nation” by its sponsor, Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, and Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration has filed additional regulations.Under the law, local governments can pass additional rules, ban dispensaries in their jurisdiction, or simply do nothing and let the state rules suffice. State law also allows cities to opt in if their county has prohibited dispensaries.It’s unclear whether the proposals to ban dispensaries in Oldham County or Elizabethtown will pass.”I can’t tell how it will go,” said Oldham County Judge Executive David Voegele of his county’s proposal. In Louisville, the proposed ordinance largely codifies some of the Beshear administration regulations, such as allowing dispensaries to operate only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.However, another provision would add more restrictions on where dispensaries can be located. State law forbids them within 1,000 feet of schools or daycare centers. The city ordinance would add parks, playgrounds, athletic facilities, community centers, religious buildings and other dispensaries to that distance requirement.”The state regs are pretty intense,” said Dee Dee Taylor, the owner of 502 Hemp Wellness Center. “I don’t see why you should burden someone who’s trying to get into this new industry with even more regs.”Taylor is considering whether to apply for a medical cannabis license, but said the existing state law and regulations are so strict that entering the business could be too expensive. The proposed Metro Louisville ordinance is on the agenda of a special meeting of the Metro Council’s Planning and Zoning Committee, scheduled for noon Wednesday at City Hall.The ordinance also needs a vote before the full council.
Medical cannabis dispensaries are coming to Kentucky, and local governments are getting prepared, including introducing more regulations.
In Metro Louisville, an ordinance has been introduced to further regulate them.
In Bullitt County, the fiscal court is thinking about putting the question to voters.
And in Elizabethtown and Oldham County, ordinances have been filed to ban them outright.
Across Kentucky, local governments are considering what – if anything – to do about medical cannabis dispensaries, which can open to the public in January. Time is of the essence, many local leaders say, because the state permit application process begins on July 1.
“We just want to make sure we get ahead of it,” said La Grange Mayor John Black, who attended a seminar last week held by the Kentucky League of Cities. Nothing has been filed in LaGrange yet, but Black said he anticipates some additional local rules.
State lawmakers legalized medical cannabis last year and dispensaries can open to the public in January. Kentucky’s law has been described as “the strictest in the nation” by its sponsor, Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, and Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration has filed additional regulations.
Under the law, local governments can pass additional rules, ban dispensaries in their jurisdiction, or simply do nothing and let the state rules suffice. State law also allows cities to opt in if their county has prohibited dispensaries.
It’s unclear whether the proposals to ban dispensaries in Oldham County or Elizabethtown will pass.
“I can’t tell how it will go,” said Oldham County Judge Executive David Voegele of his county’s proposal.
In Louisville, the proposed ordinance largely codifies some of the Beshear administration regulations, such as allowing dispensaries to operate only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
However, another provision would add more restrictions on where dispensaries can be located. State law forbids them within 1,000 feet of schools or daycare centers. The city ordinance would add parks, playgrounds, athletic facilities, community centers, religious buildings and other dispensaries to that distance requirement.
“The state regs are pretty intense,” said Dee Dee Taylor, the owner of 502 Hemp Wellness Center. “I don’t see why you should burden someone who’s trying to get into this new industry with even more regs.”
Taylor is considering whether to apply for a medical cannabis license, but said the existing state law and regulations are so strict that entering the business could be too expensive.
The proposed Metro Louisville ordinance is on the agenda of a special meeting of the Metro Council’s Planning and Zoning Committee, scheduled for noon Wednesday at City Hall.
The ordinance also needs a vote before the full council.
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