Daviess County hears first reading of ordinance to regulate medical cannabis businesses

The Daviess County Fiscal Court received a first reading of a proposed ordinance to establish local regulations and licensing fees for medical cannabis businesses during its June 5 meeting. No vote was taken; the item was presented for reading and review.

The county attorney read the ordinance’s "whereas" clauses on the record, noting that the Kentucky legislature created a statutory framework to allow medicinal cannabis businesses to begin operating in the state on Jan. 1, 2025, and that the relevant statute allows local governments to establish regulations for such businesses. "Whereas the pertinent statute allows local governments to establish its own regulations relative to medical cannabis businesses," the county attorney read.

The proposed ordinance contains seven sections establishing licensing standards, fees and local operational requirements; the county attorney described the document as "fairly lengthy." Court members said they had received the draft in advance and were given time to review it. No public comment was recorded on the ordinance during the meeting.

Because this was a reading, the court did not vote on the ordinance at the June 5 session; additional consideration, public comment opportunities or amendments would occur in subsequent meetings before final passage or rejection.