Kentucky Cannabis Application & Licensing

In early 2023, Kentucky's Governor Andy Beshear took a historic step by signing Senate Bill 47 into law, paving the way for the legalization of medical cannabis in the commonwealth, set to take effect on January 1, 2025. Expediting the process, Gov. Beshear fast-tracked the implementation of the medical program, signaling the emergence of promising opportunities starting in July 2024.

Kentucky Cannabis Updates

Summer’s Last Hoorah: What’s New in Cannabis Licensing as Fall Approaches

Kentucky Cannabis License Information

• Population: 4.526 million (2023)
• Median Income: $60,183
• Largest Cities: Louisville (629,176), Lexington (321,276), Bowling Green (72,385), Owensboro (60,019), and Covington (40,923)
• Medical Cannabis Patient Count: 0 (2025)
• Medical Cannabis Total Sales: $0 (2025)
• Cultivation Facility (16 Available)
o Tier 1— less than or equal to 2,500 square feet of cannabis plant grow canopy. 10 available in the initial round.
o Tier 2—up to 10,000 square feet of cannabis plant grow canopy. 4 available in the initial round.
o Tier 3— up to 25,000 square feet of cannabis plant grow canopy. 2 available in the initial round.
o Tier 4— up to 50,000 square feet of cannabis plant grow canopy. 0 available in the initial round.
• Dispensary (48 Available)
• Processor (10 Available)
o A business which prepares, manufactures, and packages medical cannabis products.
• Producer (0 Available)
o A business which is both a cultivator and a processor.
• Safety Compliance Facility (No limit)
o A business which is both a cultivator and a processor.
To sufficiently be able to apply for a cannabis license, the commonwealth is requiring a minimum amount of funding available for each application. In addition to the capital required, an applicant must have property when applying. This involves specifying the intended site for the cannabis business, providing evidence of site ownership or leasing, and presenting a detailed layout plan for the proposed establishment.
• Cultivation Facility
o Tier 1— $50,000
o Tier 2—$200,000
o Tier 3— $500,000
o Tier 4— $1,000,000
• Dispensary
o $150,000
• Processor
o $150,000
• Safety Compliance Facility
o $150,000
To help kick things off, the commonwealth intends to hold a 60-day application period, allowing applicants to become eligible through this method.
• July 1, 2024
o Application submission process begins
• August 31, 2024
o Application submission process ends
• October 2024
o Lottery process commences to determine winners

Kentucky Cannabis Application & License Services

Due to the limited timeframe, it's essential for individuals to remain informed about state notifications, regulatory changes, and any supplementary application criteria to guarantee they seize the chance to submit a thorough and qualifying application without delay.

Global Go specializes in cannabis licensing and applications (99% win-rate in hundreds of applications), compliance automation, advanced analytics, SOPs, mergers and acquisitions, new product launches, technology, security, and best practices. Enhance your prospects for success by reaching out to a Global Go Cannabis Application Director and accessing invaluable Kentucky insights today.