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OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) — With medical cannabis becoming legal next year in Kentucky, several cities and counties have spent the past few months deciding whether to allow medical marijuana businesses in their area. Around 103 local governments are letting voters decide with a simple yes or no question on this year’s ballots.
“We have about 53 counties, and I think 50 cities that have this on the ballot, and that’s confirmed with the state board of elections,” says Sam Flynn, the Executive Director of the Medical Cannabis Program.
Almost 5000 Kentucky businesses are hoping to be one of 48 granted a license for the sale of medical marijuana, but will it be allowed in the city or county they reside in? Over 100 cities and counties, say that’s up to voters this year. The ballot question reads as: “are you in favor of the sale of medicinal cannabis at a licensed dispensary and the operation of other cannabis businesses?”
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Only 4 can be present in each region, and only 1 business can be present in each county. Jefferson and Fayette counties are the exceptions and are allowed 2.
“If they’ve opted in, then anyone who has been awarded a license in their jurisdiction can begin to start their business operations. If the business is issued a license and then the jurisdiction opts out, our office has provided the flexibility to allow that licensee to move to another jurisdiction which allows medical cannabis business operations,” says Flynn.
The vote only applies to business operations like a cultivator, processor or dispensary, but cardholders can take their medicine in any jurisdiction.
Voters in some counties will be asked twice. For example, Sebree residents will be asked to answer as it applies to both the city level and Webster County.
“If a city opts out, but the county is opted in, then the unincorporated space and any other city within that jurisdiction that hasn’t voted on it would remain in. The city that is opted out would be out…and again, that’s only for cannabis business operations,” says Flynn.
Flynn says it operates like a wet-dry vote.
Officials say local governments had some concerns, but they have worked hard to create comfortability for all involved.
“They were concerned that there would be dispensaries on every corner. We want to make sure that our patients have access to medication throughout the state. We don’t want to have medicine deserts, but also ensure that these are secure in our communities. So, we looked at a limited, initial licensing structure where we put out 48 dispensary licenses,” says Flynn.
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What Kentucky voters should know about the medical cannabis vote – AOL
