Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Program Reaches Milestone as First Cultivator Begins Operations

A major milestone in Kentucky’s path to medical cannabis access has been reached. Last week, Armory Kentucky LLC, based in Mayfield, became the first licensed medical cannabis cultivator in the state to begin growing marijuana plants legally under Kentucky’s medical cannabis program.

This achievement follows a long and carefully planned rollout of Senate Bill 47, signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear in 2023. While the program officially went into effect on January 1, 2025, the first cultivators are now just beginning operations after months of regulatory preparation, inspections, and licensing lotteries.

Armory Kentucky passed its final inspection by the Office of Medical Cannabis and began operations on July 11, according to a press release from the Governor’s office. The company holds a Tier II cultivation license, allowing them to grow up to 10,000 square feet of medical cannabis—a substantial operation expected to help meet the initial patient demand once dispensaries open.

Governor Beshear celebrated the news, saying:

“We’re delivering on our promise to make medical cannabis available to Kentuckians who need it to treat conditions like cancer, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain. This is a major step toward making sure this critical medicine is available in a safe and responsible way.”

The Governor also noted that this early cultivation start was made possible thanks to House Bill 829, passed in April 2024, which moved up the licensing timeline by six months to speed up access for patients. The move was widely praised as a patient-first decision that balanced urgency with safety.

Growing Industry, Growing Hope

Since the law took effect in January, the state has already issued 81 business licenses, including cultivators, processors, testing labs, and dispensaries. Over 400 healthcare providers have registered to recommend medical cannabis, and more than 17,000 patients have received written certifications, with over 11,000 already holding state-issued medical cannabis ID cards.

Patients suffering from qualifying conditions are currently permitted to use out-of-state products under the state’s temporary reciprocity provisions. But the launch of in-state cultivation means locally grown, state-regulated cannabis products are finally on the horizon.

What’s Next?

The Office of Medical Cannabis says more cultivation and processing facilities are expected to launch in the coming weeks, alongside safety compliance labs and eventually the state’s first licensed dispensaries.

Kentucky’s medical cannabis program was designed to ensure a controlled and well-regulated market, with a deliberate licensing cap and rigorous oversight. The cultivation start marks the first tangible sign that the system is now operational—and working.

The Bigger Picture

The state’s approach has not been without controversy. A number of lawsuits have challenged the fairness of the license lottery process, and State Auditor Allison Ball has launched an investigation into the program’s operations. Still, state officials emphasize transparency, and inspections like the one passed by Armory Kentucky are being touted as examples of regulatory diligence in action.

As cannabis plants begin to grow in Mayfield, thousands of Kentucky patients are watching and waiting. Their long-anticipated relief is finally within reach.