LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Twenty-six Kentucky businesses now have the opportunity to obtain a medical marijuana license following a lottery selection process Monday in Louisville.

State leaders are working to advance the commonwealth’s economy and health care, and they say this is a step in the right direction.

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People who work at Ananda Professional in Georgetown they process and manufacture CBD products daily.

“And we can see a lot of these products going to the independent pharmacies where we sell today and direct to consumers,” said Jerry Hardin, vice president of sales and marketing. “We see those testimonials and reviews, and it’s very impactful to see, you know, the benefits it brings to their lives, whether it’s stress or pain. And CBD can provide a lot of great benefits too.”

However, Hardin told FOX 56 the business wants to expand and help as many people as possible. He believes that adding medical marijuana to their product line could be just the ticket.

“To help with these, you know, key types of illnesses and things that they struggle with along with stress, pain, PTSD, cancer,” he said. “I think these are very notable and what the product is for.”

January 1, 2025 marks the start date of Kentucky’s new medical marijuana program.

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“This is a real, legitimate, regulated drug kit that’s going to be out there that can be trusted for its quality,” Gov. Andy Beshear said.

On Monday afternoon, state leaders hosted a lottery, selecting 16 growers and 10 processors who are now eligible to obtain a medical marijuana license.

Sam Flynn, executive director of the Office of Medical Cannabis, said businesses must submit a license fee within 15 days or lose their ability to receive a license.

Selected growers can grow medical marijuana plants in a closed and locked facility. Processors will be able to transform raw materials into usable products such as edibles.

“It’s been a priority to make sure those suffering from serious conditions like cancer or PTSD can get the medicine and relief they need and that work for them,” Beshear said.

Hundreds applied, including Ananda Professional, but Hardin said their business was not selected.

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“But we’re positioned around future growth with our Ananda Wellness portfolio around supplements and focusing on supporting GLP one, which is our new line of supplements coming to market here in mid-November. So we’re really excited about that.”

Businesses granted licenses on 28 October:

PROCESSORS:

• 1248 KYP LLC – Jefferson County

• Kaldem Holdings – Muhlenberg County

• Limestone Processing – Fayette County

• Hilltop Healing Investco – Warren County

• Bijal Kentucky LLC – Boyd County

• AJ Alchemy Labs LLC – Barren County

• Jill’s Dispensary LLC – Christian County

• One Leaf Technologies LLC – Bullitt County

• Ice House Processing, LLC – Fulton County

• LMMKY LLC – Warren County

TIER I GROWER:

• L&O Legacies – Boyd County

• Synapse Remedies LLC – Jefferson County

• CW Bluegrass, LLC – Daviess County

• Popp Cultivation LLC – Bracken County

• Arizona Bay Investments LLC – Lincoln County

• Wong Investments, LLC – Christian County

• Joseph Serock – Christian County

• Elevated Essence LLC – Bullitt County

• Slaughter Branch LLC – Hopkins County

• Going Blue LLC – Fayette County

TIER II CULTIVATOR:

• NG Health LLC – Fayette County

• Armory Kentucky LLC – Estill County

• JMOKY LLC – Warren County

• Canopy Capital LLC – Grant County

TIER III CULTIVATOR:

• Natural State GreenGrass CannaCo LLC – Warren County

• KSYKAPP, LLC – Barren County

Beshear said another lottery will determine where the dispensaries will be located. Details of this drawing will be announced during Thursday’s Team Kentucky update.

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