The Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC) released its March Newsletter, providing key updates on program status, compliance priorities, and operational developments for licensees across cultivation, processing, and dispensary tiers, including common compliance issues, upcoming educational opportunities, and newly operational businesses.
Compliance Reminders
The March Newsletter highlighted recurring compliance issues identified during initial inspections, most notably insufficient camera coverage and overreliance on POS systems in lieu of proper use of Metrc, Kentucky’s required seed-to-sale tracking system. These deficiencies are significant and may result in enforcement action or jeopardize a licensee’s operational status.
Licensees should ensure staff are properly trained in Metrc and regularly review applicable requirements under KRS Chapter 218B and 915 KAR Chapter 1, as consistent training remains one of the most effective tools for preventing compliance issues.
Educational Opportunities for Licensee Staff
Licensees interested in virtual education sessions for their staff are encouraged to take advantage of this resource. The OMC is offering sessions covering topics such as patient applications, reactivation procedures, and registry ID card renewals. Interested licensees may contact Hannah Costigan at Hannah.costigan@ky.gov to schedule a session.
Program Snapshot
Kentucky’s medical cannabis program continues to grow, with several newly operational licensees across the state. As of February 28, 2026 there are 519 registered practitioners, 15,373 active cardholders, and 19 operational businesses statewide. Total sales have reached approximately $1.04 million, driven primarily by flower ($897,000) and supplemented by edibles ($143,000). These figures indicate steady program growth and increasing patient access to regulated cannabis products across the state.
Cardholder data also reveals which regions of Kentucky are seeing the highest levels of patient participation. The 2000 Kentuckiana and 3828 Bluegrass regions lead the state in active cardholders, followed by the 3727 Lincoln Trail, 1435 Cumberland, 1059 Northern KY, 1026 South Central, 841 Green River, 801 Northeast, 789 Pennyrile, 653 West Kentucky, 593 Mountain, and 574 additional cardholders in other regions.
The current operational status of all businesses is available by visiting the Licensee List at kymedcan.ky.gov, where businesses approved to operate are marked with an asterisk.
Cardholder Communications
The OMC recently issued a cardholder newsletter notifying registered patients of newly operational dispensaries and reminding them about certification expiration and available resources. The Office plans to continue refining these communications and may incorporate additional program data over time. This type of outreach is a positive development, as better-informed patients are more likely to utilize licensed dispensaries and seek appropriate medical guidance.
Key Takeaways for Licensees
This newsletter serves as a timely reminder that the OMC is actively monitoring the program and communicating expectations to licensees. The compliance issues flagged—particularly around camera coverage and Metrc usage—should prompt every licensee to audit their own operations and ensure they are meeting all regulatory requirements. As the program continues to grow and more businesses come online, the OMC’s expectations for operational and compliance readiness will only increase.
If you have questions about how these updates affect your operations, aligning your SOPs with applicable regulations, and/or preparing for inspections or audits, please reach out to the team for assistance.
