Kentucky Medical Marijuana Dispensary License Applicants Remain Confidential
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Office of Medical Cannabis have refused to release the names of applicants for medical marijuana dispensary licenses in the state's nine regions. This decision has sparked concerns about transparency and fairness in the licensing process, particularly regarding the involvement of out-of-state companies.
Despite announcing the winners of the dispensary licenses last month, the state agencies claim the records are "preliminary" and exempt from disclosure. This secrecy has fueled speculation that out-of-state companies, like Arkansas-based Dark Horse Cannabis, are dominating the licensing process. Dark Horse Cannabis submitted over 100 applications and won multiple licenses in the October lottery, including four dispensary licenses in the November drawing.
Kentucky Public Radio's request for the full list of applicants was denied, prompting the station to appeal the decision to the state's Office of the Attorney General. Critics argue that the state's refusal to disclose the applicants' names raises questions about fairness and transparency. They believe the public has a right to know who is applying for these licenses and how the selection process is being conducted.
Local hemp farmers, who were shut out of the October lottery for cultivator licenses, are particularly frustrated with the process. They claim that large out-of-state companies are gaining an unfair advantage and pushing in-state applicants aside. Governor Beshear, however, has dismissed these concerns, stating that the companies tied to Dark Horse Cannabis "named different unaffiliated people as owners in their applications."
The final lottery for dispensary licenses will take place on December 16th for regions 1 and 2, which include Louisville and Lexington. About 1,200 applicants are competing for the remaining licenses, and the results could shed more light on the role of out-of-state companies in Kentucky's cannabis industry.