Kentucky

Kentucky voters decide where medical cannabis businesses will be allowed

Published

1 year ago

November 7, 2024

Kentucky voters decide where medical cannabis businesses will be allowed

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – In more than 50 cities and counties, voters said “yes” to medical cannabis businesses, including 11 in WKYT’s viewing area: Anderson, Bourbon, Clark, Clay, Jackson, Knox, Menifee, Mercer, Morgan, Scott and Woodford.

“Each year we went to Frankfort, we got less no’s than the year before. So we always knew the time would come when the dominoes would fall the rest of the way,” said Kentucky NORML Executive Director Matthew Bratcher.

The Kentucky General Assembly passed a bill legalizing medical marijuana last year. It will be enacted on January 1, 2025.

“I’m not surprised at all that everybody wanted to have a cannabis business in their area.”

But voters still had to decide where the businesses, like cultivators and dispensaries, will open. So, 53 cities and 53 counties let voters decide whether the businesses should be allowed to open in their communities, and it was a yes from all of them.

“With the large cultivation firms, you can see upwards of 100 jobs of more. Processors are going to need lots of people. Dispensaries are going to need a lot of people. These are good jobs with benefits that probably pay a lot more than some of your more entry-level positions. It’s going to be great for our workforce and the communities they’re in.”

The Executive Director of Kentucky NORML, Matthew Bratcher, has been pushing for this change for years.

“We’ve got such a high number of disability cases here in Kentucky, as well as higher rates of cancer and other things. This is going to really help bring some of those numbers down.”

Kentucky has already started distributing licenses to medical cannabis businesses via a lottery system, including Limestone Processing.

“There were 290 people in our category. Only 10 were chosen and we were one. By definition, we’re really lucky and we feel fortunate,” said Gary Hilliard, the co-owner of Limestone Processing.

If you have a qualifying chronic condition, like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or post-traumatic stress disorder, you can become a medical cannabis cardholder.

“Get people back on the path to healthiness,” Bratcher said.

Kentucky NORML will host registration fairs in different counties starting in January.

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Related Topics:dispensaries Election Featured kentucky marijuana Medical Cannabis states vote

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Kentucky

Hardley Gilmore returns to Kentucky Football

Published

19 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Hardley Gilmore returns to Kentucky Football

A wide receiver from Belle Glade, Florida, Gilmore totaled 28 receptions for 313 yards and one touchdown for the Wildcats during the 2025 season. The 6-foot-1 sophomore has had a very interesting offseason as he entered the portal, flipped a commitment, and is now back in Lexington.

After the 2025 season, Gilmore committed to Louisville when he entered the transfer portal, then flipped his commitment to Baylor, and ultimately signed with the Bears. To end Gilmore’s portal saga, he’s now back in a familiar place with the Wildcats.

When the 2026 season begins, Gilmore will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Gilmore had a solid sophomore campaign with the Wildcats, appearing in all 12 games. His best game of the season came in the late-season loss against Vanderbilt. He tallied six catches for 55 yards in the game.

With Kentucky losing most of its wide receiver production from last season, this is a significant pickup, and it won’t be surprising if Gilmore is back in the starting lineup this fall.

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Kentucky

Kentucky vs. Texas A&M Injury Report: The usual suspects are out

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

As for the Aggies, the only name on the report is Mackenzie Mgbako, a one-time Kentucky target who remains out for the season after undergoing foot surgery. Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMilan said today that Mgbako will return next season, which would be a big boost for the Aggies before the offseason begins.

Kentucky vs. Texas A&M Injury Report

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Kentucky

Watch: Blast brings down Northern Kentucky bridge

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Watch: Blast brings down Northern Kentucky bridge

COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – The Licking River Bridge was demolished Monday morning in a controlled blast, clearing the way for a replacement structure.

Authorities established a 1,000-foot safety perimeter, closed nearby roads and asked residents to shelter in place before the demolition. The bridge collapsed within seconds of the blast.

“Today we say goodbye to a bridge that has served Kentuckians for nearly a century and we make room for something new. A signature bridge that is safer, stronger and we make room for something new,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This region, like the rest of the commonwealth, is evolving, it is booming, it’s economy growing every day. What we’re doing together is building our new Kentucky home.”

The Licking River Bridge is now history after crews brought it down with a controlled demolition Monday morning. (WKRC)

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Crews will begin construction on the new bridge after debris removal is complete. The replacement bridge is expected to open in the summer of 2028.

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