Vote Yes
By PJ Martin
The Herald-News
As most of the residents in this county, I have sat back and watched as our towns have gotten smaller and smaller. I’ve seen new businesses close almost as soon as they opened, and our family members must drive to another county to find steady work.
Anyone who knows me understands that I am not and have never been one to take illegal anything. I do not smoke. I do not drink. I do not take any illegal substances.
However, I understand that right now, there is a chance opportunity to help the economy in Edmonton and in Metcalfe County. If this county is lucky enough to be chosen for a medical cannabis (marijuana) dispensary, a cultivator, a processor, or safety compliance we will benefit in many ways.
Not only would a dispensary bring customers from the counties in our 9-county region, those customers would buy gasoline, eat at our restaurants, shop in our stores, and attend events.
There are many people out there who automatically say ‘no’ to allowing these businesses and I don’t understand why. If you take the time to research the regulations set by the state government you will come to realize these are not just farms growing marijuana, they are completely regulated.
The same is true of the dispensary, there are strict regulations in place. There is no difference between a dispensary and a pharmacy, they are both selling medication.
These dispensaries will not be dispensing bagged marijuana for people to smoke. They will be dispensing only cannabis processed by state-licensed and regulated processors in only edible forms.
The entire Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program is governed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services per KRS 218B. The program will be overseen and implemented by the Office of Medical Cannabis that began on July 1, 2024.
Those groups are being supported by a Board of Physicians and Advisors and a group comprised of people experienced in healthcare and education established by Executive Order 2023-600.
The state will only allow 48 dispensary licenses, 10 processor licenses, and a total of 16 cultivator licenses for the whole 120 counties in Kentucky. The state has been divided into 11 regions and it will literally be the ‘luck of the draw’ just to receive one of these businesses.
The licenses are expensive for each of the 5 categories of business running from $12,000 up to $100,000 initially and have to be renewed annually.
There are only 7 specific reasons you qualify for a prescription from your doctor per Senate Bill 47 and strict regulations in place from seed-to-sale.
The economy will increase, jobs will be created, and a lot of seriously ill patients will get help. Why would you say no to that?
Keep reading The Herald-News for more specific information about the regulations.
