Kentucky
Looking at the rollout of the Kentucky medical cannabis program
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WSAZ) – Voters in dozens of cities and counties across Kentucky voted in favor in November to allow medical cannabis businesses to operate in their communities.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said there’s been “an overwhelming support” behind medical cannabis.
The statewide program will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Office of Kentucky Medical Cannabis.
The issue passed in all 53 counties, and 53 cities that had medical cannabis local questions on the ballots allowed those businesses to operate in their areas, Beshear said.
In a team Kentucky briefing, Gov. Beshear said,” We saw overwhelming support at the polls for our new system of medical cannabis … meaning every citizen in every part of Kentucky that it is time and they want to see the option in their community.”
Counties that take no action via ordinance and ballot initiative are automatically opted in to allow medical marijuana businesses, as are cities in such counties, according to the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis.
Beshear signed medical cannabis use into law for people who have certain medical conditions in 2023.
The window to apply for a medical cannabis business license was July 1 through Aug. 31. During that time, the Office of Medical Cannabis received 4,998 applications, of which 918 were cultivator and processor applicants.
In Boyd County, L&O Legacies, a tier I cultivator, and Bijal Kentucky LLC., a processor, were amongst the 26 applicants selected through a lottery basis in October for medical cannabis business licenses. Click here
The available categories included 10 Tier I cultivator licenses, four Tier II cultivator licenses, two Tier III cultivator licenses, and 10 processor licenses.
A total of 48 dispensaries will be awarded licenses in late November and December through a lottery drawing basis.
Each county will get one dispensary except Jefferson and Fayette, which will get two each.
To qualify for a medical cannabis card starting Jan. 1, 2025, the holder must have a qualifying medical condition, which includes any type or form of cancer regardless of the stage; chronic, severe, intractable, or debilitating pain; epilepsy or any other intractable seizure disorder; multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms or spasticity; chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting syndrome that has proven resistant to other conventional medical treatments; and post-traumatic stress disorder. For more information visit, kymedcan.ky.gov.
Copyright 2024 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
Kentucky
Georgetown Police working ‘active scene’ that left 1 person dead, 1 in custody
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (LEX 18) — One person is dead and another person is in custody following an afternoon incident in Georgetown.
According to Georgetown Police, officers responded to the 200 block of Hutchins Drive around 5:30 p.m. for reports of an unknown problem. When they arrived, they located one person dead inside the home and another person with injuries nearby; that person was transported to a local hospital, and their current status is unknown.
One person remains in custody, police say. GPD asks the public to avoid the area, where a scene remains active.
This is a developing story. More information will be added as it becomes available.
Kentucky
Six Kentucky hospitals to receive portion of $105 million in FEMA funds
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that Kentucky has secured $105 million in FEMA disaster funds for six hospitals.
The awards are for expenses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic from January 2020 to May 11, 2023.
The hospitals include:
- AdventHealth Manchester
- Appalachian Regional Healthcare
- Baptist Health
- Pikeville Medical Center
- T.J. Samson Community Hospital (Glasgow)
- UofL Health
- Kentucky Emergency Management
The governor said the funding is much needed years later.
“What our hospitals did during the pandemic is nothing short of heroic, and my administration worked hard to make sure the reimbursements they were owed under the president’s emergency declaration were delivered,” Beshear said. “While this funding is being received years later, it couldn’t come at a better time, as our hospitals face challenges due to federal Medicaid cuts. This $105 million will make a difference for these hospitals and the Kentucky families who depend on them, which is why today’s news is so great.”
Sentiments echoed by the commonwealth’s emergency management director.
“Our first responders and hospitals went to great lengths to protect the lives of Kentuckians during the pandemic, and I am grateful that we were able to secure this funding and provide the reimbursements these hospitals and our team deserve,” said Eric Gibson. “We are processing the funds as quickly as possible so teams can put those dollars to good use as they continue to care for and protect people across our commonwealth.”
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky
Chase Lumpkin planning visit to Kentucky Basketball
Kentucky Basketball head coach Mark Pope and his staff have been busy on the recruiting trail during the Memphis Nike EYBL session, and now the Wildcats are beginning to line up official visits with top prospects.
According to Jacob Polacheck of KSR, class of 2027 4-star shooting guard Chase Lumpkin is planning to visit Kentucky in the near future as his recruitment continues to take off nationally.
Lumpkin, a 6-foot-4, 170-pound guard from Powder Springs, Georgia, has quickly become one of the hottest names in the 2027 recruiting class following a strong recent stretch of play on the EYBL circuit. He currently holds nearly 20 scholarship offers, including Kentucky, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Indiana, Louisville, and several others, with more programs expected to enter the mix soon.
Kentucky officially offered Lumpkin in late April after new assistant coach Mo Williams visited his school. However, the Wildcats had already been building a relationship with the talented guard since last summer. Lumpkin also made two visits to Lexington during the 2025-26 season.
“They showed a lot of belief in me,” Lumpkin tells Polacheck of KSR. “They watched me last session and, of course, were here today. It’s just showing that I can come in and make an impact as a freshman. Hopefully, I can do that one day.”
Lumpkin added that his recruitment remains open and other schools still have time to make a push as his stock continues to rise nationally.
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