Kentucky’s Big Mystery: Who’s Behind the Cannabis Licenses?
In Kentucky, people are getting excited about medical cannabis coming to the state. But something strange is happening. Lots of big, rich companies are applying for licenses to grow and sell medical cannabis. And guess what? The state isn’t telling us all their names!
What’s Going On?
Kentucky wants to help people who need cannabis for medical reasons. To do this, the state is giving out licenses to businesses so they can open cannabis dispensaries. These are like special stores where patients can get medical cannabis.
But here’s the problem: Many of the people applying for these licenses are super-rich companies, and they’re not even from Kentucky! Some of them sent in hundreds of applications, trying really hard to win.
Why Won’t Kentucky Tell Us Who They Are?
At first, the state kept all the names of the businesses a secret. They said the list was “preliminary,” which means it wasn’t final yet. But some people thought this was unfair. Why not tell us who’s applying?
After some public pressure, Kentucky shared a list, but it was incomplete. They left out names of businesses in areas where they hadn’t picked winners yet. This made people wonder if the process was really fair.
Who’s Upset?
Local farmers in Kentucky, especially hemp growers, are worried. They wanted a chance to be part of the medical cannabis business. But with so many rich, out-of-state companies taking over, they feel left out. These local growers say the system isn’t fair to small businesses. Even in our podcast Dee Dee Taylor made mention of this dilemma, she referred to it as "stacking the lottery".
What Does the State Say?
Governor Andy Beshear’s team says the process is fair. They use a lottery system to choose winners. This means the state draws names randomly, like picking numbers out of a hat. The goal is to make it equal for everyone.
Still, some people think the big companies have an advantage because they can send in so many applications.
Why Does This Matter?
Medical cannabis could be a big deal for Kentucky. It can help people who are sick, create new jobs, and bring money into the state. But if only rich, out-of-state companies get to be part of it, local businesses might miss out. People want to make sure the system is fair and transparent.
What’s Next?
For now, we’ll have to wait and see if Kentucky shares more names or changes the way it gives out licenses. People are watching closely because they want medical cannabis to be good for everyone in the state—not just big companies.
What do you think? Should Kentucky be more open about the process? Let us know in the comments!
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