Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear took executive action yesterday significantly expanding medical cannabis access for eligible patients.
The Governor’s order expands the pool of patients eligible to receive medical cannabis recommendations to include those diagnosed with severe arthritis, AIDS, ALS, sickle cell anemia, cachexia or wasting syndrome, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, HIV, Huntington’s disease, muscular dystrophy, neuropathic pain disorders, Parkinson’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and/or any terminal illness.
All of the newly added conditions had previously been recommended for “express inclusion” by a unanimous vote of the Kentucky Board of Physicians and Advisors.
The Governor said that his new order makes medical cannabis potentially available to an additional 400,000 Kentuckians. “With the progress we’ve made to reduce overdose deaths and fight addiction, it’s important we continue to offer an alternative to dangerous and addictive opioids. This emergency regulation will help more Kentuckians reclaim their lives through safe, nonaddictive medical cannabis.” the Governor said in a prepared statement.
“Governor Beshear’s actions removes the threat of arrest for tens of thousands of Kentuckians and ensures that these patients will have safe, above-ground access to lab-tested cannabis products,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “His leadership on this issue is commendable and compassionate. Both patients and their physicians benefit from having the option of incorporating cannabis into standardized medical care.”
Kentucky NORML‘s Executive Director Matthew Bratcher added: “Kentucky’s medical cannabis law was always intended to provide relief to patients suffering from serious illnesses. Governor Beshear’s action corrects unnecessary ambiguity and ensures that patients with conditions such as Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, and terminal illnesses are not left behind. As the program continues to mature, Kentucky NORML will continue advocating for policies that put patients first and expand safe, legal access to medical cannabis.”
The Governor signed legislation into law in 2023 establishing the state’s medical cannabis access program. State-licensed dispensaries became operational in 2025. An estimated 24,000 residents are currently registered in the state program.
Governor Beshear’s order took effect upon signing.
The full text of the Governor’s executive order is available online. A summary of Kentucky’s medical cannabis access program is available from NORML. Additional information is available from Kentucky NORML.
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