While Kentucky has maintained strict cannabis prohibition for decades, the state marked a historic milestone in 2025 when Armory Kentucky LLC’s facility in Mayfield became the first legally licensed cannabis farm to begin operations under the new medical marijuana program. This development represents the culmination of legislative efforts that began with Senate Bill 47, signed on March 31, 2023, which legalized medical cannabis effective January 1, 2025.
The regulatory framework expanded when House Bill 829, signed in April 2024, accelerated licensing timelines by six months and advanced business operations. The Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis began accepting applications on July 1, 2024, ultimately issuing licenses to 16 cultivators across three operational tiers. The state approved 10 Tier I facilities covering 2,500 square feet, 4 Tier II operations at 10,000 square feet, and 2 Tier III facilities spanning 25,000 square feet each.
Armory Kentucky’s Mayfield facility initiated operations after receiving facility inspection approval in July 2025, marking the shift from regulatory planning to active cultivation. The facility received 2,600 mature plants in the vegetative phase, delivered from out-of-state sources to accelerate initial harvests. These plants arrived ready for immediate flowering shifts, enabling faster product availability for qualifying patients. The rigorous licensing process included detailed security protocols and inventory tracking systems to ensure regulatory compliance.
The Mayfield facility’s 2,600 mature plants represent Kentucky’s transition from cannabis prohibition to active medical cultivation operations.
Other licensed operations are establishing statewide presence across multiple scales. Centaurus Farms KY LLC broke ground as Wayne County’s first medical cannabis business, while Cresco Labs manages a Tier III facility in Clark County. These developments reflect geographic distribution aimed at ensuring patient access across Kentucky’s rural and urban communities. The facility has been positioned on an 86-acre site at the Monticello-Wayne County Industrial Authority to support the region’s agricultural cannabis operations.
The economic impact extends beyond cultivation, with Centaurus Farms expected to create 100 initial jobs and potential for additional growth. Local governments, including Monticello-Wayne County, have provided infrastructure incentives to attract cannabis businesses, supporting rural economic revitalization efforts.
Patient access remains the program’s central focus, serving individuals with qualifying conditions including cancer, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and appetite loss. The Post Dispensary in Beaver Dam represents the first licensed dispensary, enabling legal purchasing for registered patients. Governor Beshear has emphasized medical access as the policy’s primary objective. The state’s medical cannabis program has attracted significant patient interest, with over 11,000 residents having applied for medical cannabis cards since the program’s launch.
The industry faces ongoing challenges, with nearly 100 appeals pending from companies whose license applications were rejected. Additional processors and testing laboratories are preparing to launch, supporting supply chain development and patient safety requirements.
The Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis continues overseeing application processes, facility inspections, and regulatory compliance as the state’s medical cannabis infrastructure expands from initial cultivation through patient delivery systems.
