How do you get a medical marijuana card in KY? Here’s what we know about applying

Aaron Mudd
·4 min read
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New details have emerged about how Kentucky’s budding medical cannabis program, set to officially launch Jan. 1, 2025, will work, including how patients and caregivers can apply for marijuana cards.

Gov. Andy Beshear and Sam Flynn, the executive director of Kentucky’s medical cannabis program, announced Thursday a new set of regulations. They outline how patients and their caregivers can apply to be medical cannabis cardholders once the program goes live.

“These regulations will ensure that Kentucky’s medical cannabis program is safe and accessible for our patients and secure for our communities,” Beshear said.

Here’s what to know about how patients can begin obtaining medical cannabis cards next year.

How do you get a medical marijuana card in Kentucky?

At a press conference, Flynn described the process of applying for a card.

It begins with a patient obtaining a written certification from an authorized medical practitioner. This could include a doctor or advanced practice registered nurse authorized to prescribe controlled substances and appropriately licensed by a state board.

It’s worth noting this “certification” is not a prescription, but simply a statement that a patient has a qualifying condition which makes them eligible for the state’s medical cannabis program. The list of qualifying conditions is limited, but it could be expanded by lawmakers before the program launches next year.

Current qualifying conditions under Senate Bill 47 include:

  • Any type or form of cancer, regardless of stage

  • Chronic, severe, intractable or debilitating pain

  • Epilepsy or any other intractable seizure disorder

  • Multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms or spasticity

  • Chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting syndrome resistant to other conventional treatment methods

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder

A bill introduced in Kentucky’s Senate could expand the list of conditions, but it hasn’t seen much movement since early March.

Another bill, this one in the state’s House, is facing criticism for the inclusion of additional requirements for patients to qualify for medical cannabis and more tightly restricting the current law.

Once a patient has a written certification from a health care provider, Flynn said they will be directed to complete an application through an online portal that will go live Jan. 1.

“To apply through the portal, Kentuckians will need to input their personal information, capture a written certification provided by the medical practitioner … pay an application fee and upload a notarized signature,” Flynn said Thursday.

The portal has not launched and is not expected to accessible to the public until January.

Additional documentation will be required for designated caregivers, patients who are minors and patients visiting from out of state.

Once approved, patients will receive their ID cards via email. Flynn noted the cards can be printed or saved on any digital device.

The cards also include several safety features, such as a QR code and barcode to deter counterfeiting and diversion.

A screen capture from a virtual press conference Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear gave Thursday, March 14, depicts what a typical medical cannabis ID card will look like when the state’s program launches in 2025.
A screen capture from a virtual press conference Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear gave Thursday, March 14, depicts what a typical medical cannabis ID card will look like when the state’s program launches in 2025.

How much will a medical cannabis card cost in Kentucky?

The initial medical cannabis card will cost $25, Flynn said Thursday.

“Those are set at $25, which is one of the lowest application fees for a purely medical program in the country,” Flynn said.

Responding to follow-up questions sent via email Thursday, a spokesperson for the governor’s office said $25 is also the cost for renewal, which cardholders must do annually.

Asked about interest in the state’s medical cannabis program and how the it’s preparing for the rollout next year, the spokesperson was less specific, however, writing, “On January 1, 2025, Kentuckians [with] qualifying conditions may begin applying for medical cannabis cards through the Program’s online portal. Qualifying conditions currently include, cancer, chronic pain, chronic nausea, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, and other related conditions. The Program is preparing for that process.”

How much cannabis can a cardholder have?

How much a cardholder can possess will depend on the form of the cannabis product.

Registered cardholders can produce the equivalent of up to 4 ounces of raw plant material per month, considered a 30-day supply.

For concentrated or edible products, the limit is 28 grams per month, and for THC-infused products, such as drinks or oils, the limit is 3,900 milligrams per month.

A screen capture from a virtual news conference given by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear outlines the supply limits for medical cannabis under the state’s new program.
A screen capture from a virtual news conference given by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear outlines the supply limits for medical cannabis under the state’s new program.

Where can I learn more?

Flynn described a “comprehensive” guide available for patients and caregivers online at kymedcan.ky.gov.

“This guide provides comprehensive guidance for Kentuckians on how to apply for a medical cannabis card and the process for doing so,” Flynn said.

Do you have a question about medical marijuana for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.