BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – On Jan. 1, eligible people will be able to get their medical cannabis prescriptions filled in select dispensaries throughout the state.
According to Bowling Green city officials, there was initially some hesitancy to embrace the substance when it was first introduced.
“Originally my thought was we’re having so much trouble with the vapes and kids. Should we wait and see how this is rolled out and should we see how enforcement goes?” said Bowling Green City Attorney, Hillary Hightower. “After other cities and counties put it on the ballot it was determined that it had such support statewide that the city would not go that direction.”
In Bowling Green, the transition into the new medical avenue has been a confusing one for some, with those interested in the prescribed medicine not being sure if they can get it within the city.
On Nov. 3, three Warren County dispensaries were selected to distribute medical cannabis to those with a prescription card. According to Hightower, none of them have applied for a business license yet.
With only two weeks left until the new year, the lack of an open dispensary could affect medical cannabis availability in the area.
“The addresses provided on their applications(for the lottery) do not meet our zoning requirements, and they’re aware of that. So far in talks with Planning and Zoning, they have not located a location, or if they have, we’re not aware of a location yet,” Hightower said. “They have not, to my knowledge, applied for a business license with the city yet.”
With the current planning and zoning requirements, dispensaries trying to set up shop in Bowling Green can only be placed in highway business zones. They also can’t be within 1,000 feet of any schools, daycares, or secondary education facilities.
Businesses are also prohibited in overlay zones, which rule out any historic districts such as the University District, Lover’s Lane, and Cemetery Road. In addition, they cannot be placed next to any agricultural facility, residential property, or zone.
“We don’t really know what kind of traffic we’re going to get here,” she said. “We don’t know what kind of enforcement We are going to have to have, and so we want to make sure that these are in zones that don’t affect things like schools and daycares, and the residential properties.”
If no dispensaries complete their business application and do everything required to open within the next two weeks, patients who have a medical marijuana card will likely have to fill their prescriptions elsewhere.
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Will medical cannabis be available in Bowling Green next year? – WBKO
