FRANKFORT, Ky. (WSMV) – More Kentuckians with serious illnesses can now qualify for medical cannabis.
On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order directing Team Kentucky’s Office of Medical Cannabis to issue an emergency regulation to further clarify qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in Kentucky law.
With the clarification, 15 additional conditions were recognized, including the following:
The previous qualifying conditions include any type or form of cancer, chronic or severe pain, epilepsy or other intractable seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms or spasticity, chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting syndrome, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The law is meant to provide a safe alternative form of pain relief for Kentuckians suffering, yet the law’s lack of clarity prevented too many people from receiving help. This step makes the law more clear,” said Gov. Beshear. “With the progress we’ve made to reduce overdose deaths and fight addiction, it’s important we continue to offer an alternative to dangerous and addictive opioids. This emergency regulation will help more Kentuckians reclaim their lives through safe, nonaddictive medical cannabis.”
A little over three years ago, in March 2023, Gov. Beshear signed Senate Bill 47, legalizing medical cannabis for Kentuckians beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
According to the state, Kentucky has 32 medical cannabis businesses up and running and has registered over 500 medical cannabis practitioners. The state added that 23,700 Kentuckians have been approved for medical cannabis cards.
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