Kentucky Counties Put Medical Cannabis on the Ballot: Communities to Decide Their Own Fate

With the election just around the corner and medical marijuana set to become legal in Kentucky come January, some communities are taking matters into their own hands. They’re gearing up to let voters decide whether they want medicinal cannabis businesses operating in their neighborhoods.

Eight Counties and Five Cities Seek Voter Input

It’s not every day that local governments pass the buck to their constituents, but that’s exactly what’s happening.

Here’s the rundown:

• Counties with Ballot Measures: Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Crittenden, Hickman, Livingston, and Lyon.
• Cities with Ballot Measures: Murray, Hickman, Marion, Salem, and Kuttawa.

These places are asking residents to vote for or against allowing medical marijuana businesses. If they don’t put it to a vote, the new state law automatically includes them.

Carlisle County Lets the People Speak

Greg Terry, the Carlisle County Judge Executive, believes this decision shouldn’t rest solely with officials.

He said, “It’s not like you’re gonna walk down the street and smell it growing or anything like that. That’s not the case at all. So, do the people want that here in our community? The fiscal court and I felt we shouldn’t make that call.”

Even though Carlisle County might be too small for a dispensary, they’ve already caught the eye of cannabis growers looking for space. Terry mentioned they’ve had inquiries about facilities ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 square feet.

Medical Marijuana Law Mirrors Alcohol Regulations

The way Kentucky’s medical cannabis law is written is pretty similar to alcohol laws.

• Opt-Out Option: Counties and municipalities can choose to opt out of allowing medical cannabis businesses.
• Automatic Inclusion: Those that don’t have a ballot measure or decide not to challenge the law will automatically be part of it.

This setup gives local communities control over whether they want to embrace this new industry or not.

What’s at Stake for These Communities?

So, why the hesitation?

Some concerns include:

• Community Values: Some residents may feel that cannabis businesses don’t align with their community’s character.
• Economic Opportunities: Others see potential job creation and economic growth.
• Regulatory Challenges: Small communities might worry about the resources needed to regulate these businesses.

Terry summed it up, noting the potential for economic benefits: “They’re going to grow it somewhere, and there might be a few jobs for us.”

The Clock Is Ticking

The question will be on ballots this November in the mentioned counties and cities.

Even if a county votes against medicinal cannabis, the statewide law takes effect on January 1, 2024. That means medical marijuana will be legal throughout Kentucky, but local bans could prevent businesses from setting up shop in certain areas.

Residents have less than a month to consider how they’ll vote on this pivotal issue.