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 Basketball Roster Tracker: Jasper Johnson are Brandon Garrison going portaling
The transfer portal doesn’t officially open until Tuesday, April 7, but players are already announcing their plans — over 500 so far, in fact. On Kentucky’s end, Jaland Lowe was the first, announcing on March 28 that he would head elsewhere. Since then, it’s been crickets, but Jasper Johnson and Brandon Garrison quickly changed that, with news breaking of their plans to transfer happening within an hour of each other on Friday.
More announcements could be on the way before Tuesday. We’re still waiting on decisions from seven Wildcats, eight if you include Jayden Quaintance, who is expected to enter the NBA Draft, but has yet to officially declare. Redshirt big man Reece Potter has publicly stated that he will run it back in Lexington. Mark Pope got his first 2026 commit this week in four-star point guard Mason Williams, the son of former NBA All-Star Mo Williams, who will also come to Kentucky as an assistant coach.
It could be a newsy weekend. KSR will be tracking all of Kentucky’s offseason roster movements. Consider this your one-stop shop for all roster additions and departures.
GRADUATED (2)
PORTAL DEPARTURES (3)
REMAINING ELIGIBILITY – STATUS UNKNOWN (8)
EXPECTED RETURNERS (1)
HS SIGNEES (1)
PORTAL ADDITIONS: N/A
IMPORTANT DATES
- April 7: Transfer Portal Opens
- April 21: Transfer Portal Closes
- 60 days before NBA Draft: NBA Early Entry Deadline
- May 8-10: NBA G League Combine (Chicago)
- May 10: NBA Draft Lottery
- May 10-17: NBA Draft Combine (Chicago)
- May 27: NCAA Division I Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline
- 10 days before NBA Draft: NBA Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline
- Late June: 2026 NBA Draft (Date not announced)
Take advantage of our KSR+ SPRING SALE to get bonus coverage of the Cats, including the latest intel on Kentucky’s efforts in the Transfer Portal, Spring Football, and the search for a new Athletic Director — plus a year of access to The Athletic. Annual subscriptions are 50% off for a limited time.
UPDATES
April 3: Brandon Garrison joins Johnson in the portal
- After two seasons with the Wildcats as the team’s backup center, Garrison will look for a starting job going into his final college season.
April 3: Jasper Johnson will enter the Transfer Portal
- Mark Pope‘s highest-ranked recruit of all time will look for a fresh start elsewhere after an up-and-down freshman season.
- The other finalists in his high school recruitment were Alabama and North Carolina.
March 30: Mo Williams to join staff as assistant
- Expected to join his son, Mason, in Lexington, filling one of the vacant assistant coaching positions
- Head coach at Jackson State (2022-26) and Alabama State (2020-22), Assistant coach at Cal State Northridge (2018-20)
- Played 13 seasons in the NBA for 7 different franchises; NBA All-Star (2009), NBA Champion (Cleveland Cavaliers, 2016)
March 28: Jaland Lowe will enter the Transfer Portal
- Leaving UK after one season, which was cut short by a shoulder injury.
March 27: Associate head coach Alvin Brooks will not return next season
March 27: 4-star Mason Williams commits to Kentucky
- Son of former NBA All-Star/current Jackson State head coach Mo Williams
- 6-foot-2 point guard ranked No. 124 overall in the 2026 recruiting class by Rivals
- Held offers from Ole Miss, Jackson State, Memphis, Louisiana, New Mexico State, Stephen F. Austin, Washington, and Texas Tech
- Averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 steals per outing in 2025-26 while shooting 41.2 percent from deep (8-game sample size)
March 26: Keegan Brown announced as Director of Roster Management
- Worked with Mark Pope for five seasons at BYU
- Most recently worked as head video coordinator of the Wisconsin Herd, the Milwaukee Bucks’ G League affiliate.
March 24: Jason Hart leaves for SMU
- Left Kentucky after two seasons to become the associate head coach under Andy Enfield
- Lead recruiter for Dink Pate and Tyran Stokes
Kentucky
Roadway in Northern Kentucky could be designated ‘Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway’
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKRC) – A measure that includes naming a highway in Northern Kentucky after conservative activist Charlie Kirk is awaiting action from the governor.
Senate Joint Resolution 139, an omnibus bill designating honorary names for roads and bridges across the state, was delivered to the governor Thursday after clearing both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Among its provisions is the designation of a portion of Kentucky Route 18 in Boone County as the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.”
The resolution passed the Senate 36-0 in March and later cleared the House 86-4 on April 1 before final concurrence in the Senate.
Lawmakers considered removing the Kirk designation during debate. A House floor amendment that would have deleted the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway” provision was defeated.
The measure includes several other highway and bridge designations statewide, including memorials for fallen service members and local leaders.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (2)
If signed, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet would be directed to install signage marking the honorary highway names.
Kentucky
Lexington veteran’s remains found in Indiana park
CLARKSVILLE, In. (WKYT) — The remains of a Kentucky veteran who was the subject of a Green Alert were found in a park.
The remains of Jyronna Dione Parker, 54, were found March 22 by officers from the Clarksville Police Department. His body was found in Ashland Park on the river’s shoreline.
In late 2025, a Green Alert was issued for Parker. This alert was cancelled by the Lexington Police department after they determined he was not at risk.
Despite the cancellation of the alert, Parker had been reported missing from Lexington since Oct 17.
What is a Green Alert?
Under Kentucky law, a Green Alert is issued when a veteran at risk goes missing. It’s designed to help first responders and the public locate missing veterans who may be in danger by quickly notifying emergency management agencies, search and rescue teams, and local media outlets.
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
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