Deadlines Established for Operational Licensees to Comply with New OMC Guidance on Medical Cannabis Waste Procedures and Employee Badges

The Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis released a technical advisory covering medical cannabis waste procedures and employee identification badges on September 18, 2025.

Licensees that are currently operational have fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of the notice to come into compliance with the guidance on medical cannabis waste disposal, with a deadline of October 2, 2025. The notice allows for up to thirty (30) days to come into compliance with requirements relating to employee badges, which means operational licensees must be fully compliant by mid-October.

Medical Cannabis Waste

• All licensees (cultivators, processors, safety compliance facilities, dispensaries) must dispose of medical cannabis waste in a manner that renders it unusable.
• Waste must be weighed and recorded in both the state’s designated seed-to-sale tracking system (Metrc) as well as a separate waste log.
• Disposal must occur on the same day the waste is weighed and logged.
• The entire disposal process must be conducted under video surveillance, from the start of destruction until the waste is placed in a locked dumpster or other approved, locked container and removed from the facility.
• Operational licensees must comply by October 2^nd.

Employee, Agent, and Volunteer Badges

• All employees, agents, and volunteers must be issued identification badges by the licensee.   
• Badges must be worn conspicuously at all times on the licensed premises or during transport of medical cannabis.
• Each badge must include:
  • The specified phone number for the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program: (833) 727-2828
  • The specified email address for the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program: kymedcanreporting@ky.gov
• Operational licensees must comply by October 18^th.

Please reach out to a member of our team if you need any additional guidance.