Medical Cannabis Regulations
Chart 3 – The 11 regions of the medical cannabis program. Chart courtesy of Kentucky League of Cities
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
Due to the 4th of July holiday, the Edmonton City Council met in a special called meeting on Thursday, June 27th. Those absent were Teresa Hamlett, fire Chief Jerry Clemmons, Police Chief David Robertson, and, Councilmember Faye Word who recently suffered a stroke. Mayor Doug Smith asked that everyone remember Council Member Word during the observed moment of silence.
The minutes from the regular meeting on June 3rd and the special meeting on June 8th were approved as they were written.
City Attorney Brian Pack provided the council members with a 2024 Legislative and Regulatory information packet concerning the state’s Medical Cannabis Program. The information was provided by the Kentucky League of Cities to provide the facts for local legislative bodies.
“I’m sure you’ve seen deadlines and have questions like I did about the medical cannabis program that is now legal in Kentucky as of July 1…to be governed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services,” explained Pack.
He went on to say, “…Part of the law allows legislative bodies, local bodies like the county or the city, to say we don’t want those businesses here. If you want to, you have that option. The county has the option for the county. Even if the county (as I read) says no we don’t want any of those businesses here, you as the city have the power to make your own decision within the city limits.”
The city or county can add more restrictions as long as they are reasonable, but the state has already set up a lot of regulations regarding the production, sale, and use of medical cannabis. “If you take no action then all five areas that I just spoke to, will, may see a license with the cabinet. If they’re granted, they could in theory locate that business in Edmonton.”
“My goal today was just to educate a little bit about it so you can take action if you want,” said Pack.
Clerk Dawn Devore added, “The state has restricted, there’s only 48 dispensaries that can be in the state. Four in Louisville, four in Lexington, and then every other county, obviously there’s 120 counties so they’re not all gonna get one, or could get one, but there could only be one.”
The state has divided the counties into regions (see Chart 3) and the licenses will be selected by a lottery system.
Pack asked the council members to read over the information provided and after learning the facts they have until December to decide if the city wants to take any action.
The public can go online to https://kymedcan.ky.gov and click on Businesses to access videos that explain the program using the same presentation material the council received.
Chart 1 – The license types connected with the medical cannabis regulations. Chart courtesy of Kentucky League of Cities
Department Reports
Public Works Superintendent Moe Hensley discussed water, sewer, and gas tap fees, and the various line installation costs. The City of Edmonton charges have not been changed since 2005 and the cost of materials has doubled since then. To try and meet the increased costs, new fees were discussed.
The first reading of Ordinance #2024-25-02 amending Ordinance #2025-19 Amending charges for services of the City of Edmonton Water Department.
The first reading of Ordinance #2024-25-03 amending Ordinance #2025-20 Amending charges for services of the City of Edmonton Gas Department.
Chief David Robertson was absent, but provided the June activity report for everyone’s packets. The June activity numbers are: 17 arrests, 3 non-injury accidents, 3 alarms, 11 animal complaints, 1 DUI, 1 fight, 2 incomplete 911 calls, 2 new investigations, 9 motorist assists, 9 medical calls, 3 drug complaints, 87 traffic stops, 9 warrants served, 73 complains, and 22 citations written.
ABC Administrator Fred Ray reported that Manuel Perez, owner and operator of Mi Pueblo Restaurant had installed a bar; however, it is a station for servers to mix drinks, not a sit-down bar. It was noted that as a restaurant selling food, it would be allowed under his license.
Parks and Recreation Manager Brian Garrett reported that 50 little league and t-ball games were played, women’s slow pitch had begun, and the Brooks Tournament has been rescheduled due to weather. Also, one basketball court is being resurfaced and the other is being striped for a pickleball court.
To assist with the cost of the amphitheater phase of the Edmonton Memorial Park Project a grant of up to $1,100,000 to be used in conjunction with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) has become available.
The council approved Resolution #2023-24-08 which authorizes Mayor Smith to complete and sign any needed paperwork to apply for the Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation (Grant) Program 2024 funds with the Cabinet for Economic Development.
Mayor Smith explained that inflation has more than doubled the price of the park project work that was to be covered by the original grants and added, “We could not do the project if it weren’t for grants.”
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Contract between The Edmonton City Council and BRADD was approved. The contract employs BRADD to perform professional services to procure grants, FEMA funds, and several other financial and administrative services in compliance with the Kentucky Department for Local Government and the Kentucky Labor Cabinet.
No fire department report was presented due to Fire Chief Jerry Clemmons’ absence.
No other business was brought forth and the meeting adjourned.
Chart 2 – The fees associated with the business categories. Chart courtesy of Kentucky League of Cities
