Kentucky cities consider regulating medical marijuana

Although medical cannabis becomes legal next year, local governments can enact zoning restrictions on cannabis cultivation, processing, production and dispensaries, consistent with existing statewide regulations.

“Kentucky has passed a pretty comprehensive medical cannabis law,” said Keshar Ghimire, PhD, associate professor of economics at the University of Cincinnati’s Blue Ash College. “They have a long list of eligibility requirements.”

Among the state requirements already in effect is a 1,000-foot separation between a cannabis business and an “existing school or daycare.”

“This requirement addresses the concern that (cannabis) dispensaries, when in close proximity, can potentially influence minors’ attitudes and/or access to marijuana,” Ghimire said. “The distance also ensures that criminal and other undesirable activities that may occur near dispensaries do not affect the school environment.”

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