Kentucky
Medical marijuana is near in Kentucky. More than 1,800 want licenses, Gov. Andy Beshear says
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear medical marijuana into law: Video
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear signs medical Marijuana into law at the Kentucky State Capitol Friday morning
Scott Utterback, Louisville Courier Journal
The legalization of medical marijuana is near in the commonwealth with a program kickoff of Jan. 1, 2025, and plenty wanting to participate.
“Since Dec. 1 of 2024, so that’s just the last 18 days, over 1,800 Kentuckians have visited one of our registered practitioners and received written certifications,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in his Team Kentucky update Thursday, meaning more than 100 daily.
The conditions that have received the most written certifications are chronic pain with 1,374 followed by post-traumatic stress disorder with 599 and multiple sclerosis with 216.
Currently, more than 220 physicians are authorized to write certifications, Beshear said, one of the multiple steps to obtaining a medical marijuana card.
Who qualifies in Kentucky for a medical marijuana card?
According to the Kentucky General Assembly Cabinet for Health and Family Services, applicants who may qualify for medical marijuana in Kentucky must be a state resident (with a few exceptions), have no felony record, have a qualifying medical condition, and have visited a licensed practitioner and received a written certification to use medical cannabis. Applications can be submitted with the Office of Medical Cannabis starting Jan. 1.
Where can I find a doctor to prescribe medical marijuana in Kentucky?
The Office of Medical Cannabis offers an authorized practitioner directory on its website where potential medical card applicants can search for a certified doctor by city, county, zip code or specialty.
There are 65 authorized practitioners Jefferson County as of Wednesday, according to the state database.
How long will Kentucky’s medical marijuana approval process take?
According to the Kentucky General Assembly, the cabinet will acknowledge receiving a first-time or renewal application within 15 days of the receipt, and approve or deny it within 30 days of receiving a completed application.
A written notice will be sent, saying the application was approved or denied. If denied, reasoning will be included. If approved, qualifying patients will receive their identification card within five days of the approval. Those younger than 18 will be denied a card without a caregiver.
How much does a medical marijuana license in Kentucky cost?
Medical marijuana applications will cost $25 in Kentucky. Application fees are nonrefundable and require a credit card or automated clearing house transfer.
What conditions qualify for medical cannabis in Kentucky?
Current conditions eligible for medical marijuana in Kentucky include:
- All types and forms 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
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
What information is required for a medical marijuana application in Kentucky?
The registry identification card application form is available on the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program website. Applicants who believe they qualify must include:
- Full name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, social security number and driver’s license number of qualifying patient
- Written certification from a medical cannabis practitioner for qualifying patient
- Name, address and telephone number of the patient’s medical cannabis practitioner
- For those who are designating a caregiver, the full name, address, phone number, email address and date of birth of up to two individuals chosen by the patient as the caregiver
- Application fee of $25
- Question on whether patients want to receive notifications from the cabinet on clinical trials surrounding medical marijuana use
- An attestation to share cardholder information with licensed dispensaries and law enforcement
- A notarized signature page ensuring accurate personal information, understanding of cannabis laws, etc.
How long will a medical marijuana card stay valid in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, a medical marijuana card will be valid for one year, unless indicated by the practitioner to end access sooner. Patients can apply for renewal once the card expires.
Reporter Olivia Evans contributed. Contact breaking news reporter Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
Kentucky
Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in backyard
A Kentucky woman was charged with fetal homicide after allegedly using abortion pills and burying the fetus in a Christmas-wrapped lightbulb box in her backyard — when she got pregnant following an affair.
Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested Wednesday after going to a Campton health care clinic, where she told staff members she used medication purchased online to end her pregnancy, which is illegal in the state, according to Kentucky State Police, FOX 56 reported.
Police said Spencer allegedly admitted to taking the pills on Dec. 26 and burying the fetus — described as a “developed male infant” — two days later in a shallow grave at her Flat Mary Road home.
After obtaining a search warrant, cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag, court documents showed.
Spencer later confessed that she allegedly ordered the pregnancy-ending drugs after conceiving with a man who was not her boyfriend, claiming she didn’t want him to find out, police said, per the outlet.
Authorities said she wanted to “abort the fetus on her own.”
It’s unclear how long she was pregnant before taking the pills.
An autopsy has reportedly been scheduled to establish how developed the fetus was.
In Kentucky, nearly all abortions are illegal, with a doctor only authorized to perform one to prevent death or serious injury to the mother.
There are no exceptions for rape or incest.
State law also bars the distribution of abortion medication.
Spencer was charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree promoting contraband, the outlet reported.
The homicide offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. She also faces life behind bars if convicted.
Spencer is being held at Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.
Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.
Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.
“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.
After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.
Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.
“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.
No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.
Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.
“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.
Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.
Copyright 2025 WKYT. All rights reserved.
GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.
“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.
According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.
NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.
Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.
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