Beshear urges expansion of Kentucky medical cannabis program to include 15 more conditions

Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday called for Kentucky's medical marijuana program to be expanded to include an extra 15 conditions that would allow an additional 437,000 Kentuckians to qualify for usage when the program launches next year.

The early framework for the program was set last year when medical marijuana legislation passed, calling for patients dealing with seven conditions, including cancer, to be allowed to use it. But additional recommendations and regulations are already being filed just days into the 2024 legislative session.

The Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program's board of physicians and advisers and the Team Kentucky medical cannabis workgroup have sent written recommendations to the General Assembly to expand the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis.

Here is a list of the recommended qualifying conditions:

• ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease

• Parkinson's disease

• Crohn's disease

• Sickle cell anemia

• Cachexia or wasting syndrome

• Neuropathies

• Severe arthritis

• Hepatitis C

• Fibromyalgia

• Muscular dystrophy

• Huntington's disease

• HIV

• AIDS

• Glaucoma

• Terminal illness

They would be added to the current qualifying conditions, which include cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea and muscle spasms.

Beshear said the proposed conditions "are included in most other states' programs, they are very serious conditions that we believe but more importantly these medical groups and advisory groups all unanimously agree should become a part of the program."

What else has happened with medical marijuana in Kentucky?

Beshear said his administration filed its first 10 proposals for regulations on medical marijuana Thursday.

The proposals, which must be approved by the legislature, are aimed at how businesses, including medical marijuana growers - processors, producers, safety compliance facilities and dispensaries - will operate.

Beshear said the regulations would provide guidance on medical cannabis product packaging and labeling, transportation of products, advertising of products and safety testing of products.

Some early safety and security requirements the governor's administration has proposed include: Having all harvest and production batches tested for THC, CBD and toxins; voluntary and mandatory recalls; registered caregivers for patients under 18; product packaging that is not created to appeal to minors; and use of professionally monitored surveillance and alarm systems at facilities with medical marijuana as well as other security measures.

More: Could marijuana become legal in Kentucky? Bill would allow 'personal use' of cannabis

Beshear said that in October the state medical marijuana program entered into a partnership with Tyler Technologies and Metrc to develop the state's medical marijuana electronic monitoring system. These companies will help the state create and monitor a business licensing portal, a patient and caregiver registry and "seed-to-sale" tracking.

The state also launched a business zoning tool for medical marijuana businesses to identify if a proposed location is acceptable and in accordance with state law. A cannabis business is not allowed to be within 1,000 feet of an existing elementary school, secondary school or daycare center, according to state law. Local governments will be allowed to impose additional zoning requirements for cannabis businesses.

Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @oliviamevans_.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Medical marijuana in Kentucky: Beshear wants to add 15 conditions