Table of Contents
Is marijuana legal in Kentucky 2024
Medical Marijuana
- Legalization Status: Legalized through Senate Bill 47, signed in March 2023.
- Program Start Date: January 1, 2025.
- Current Access (2024): Limited to an executive order (EO 2022-798) by Governor Andy Beshear.
- Permits the possession of up to eight ounces of cannabis that has been lawfully acquired in another state.
- Requires proof of purchase and a doctor’s certification for one of the qualifying conditions.
- Qualifying Conditions include:
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Epilepsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- PTSD
- In-State Sales & Dispensaries: Not available until 2025.
Recreational Marijuana
- Status: Illegal.
- Possession Penalties:
- First offense (small amounts): Misdemeanor, up to 45 days jail and $250 fine.
- Larger amounts or repeat offenses can lead to more serious charges.
Key Notes
- Cultivation: Illegal for both recreational and medical use in 2024.
- Transporting Cannabis: Must be legally purchased out of state and comply with EO requirements.
- Future Outlook: Full medical program infrastructure (cultivation, processing, sales) begins January 2025.
Summary
In 2024, Kentucky allows limited medical cannabis possession under an executive order, but no in-state purchases or dispensaries are active yet. Recreational use remains fully illegal. A regulated medical program will launch in 2025.
