Gallatin County fiscal court bans cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas on 3–2 vote

Gallatin County’s fiscal court voted to prohibit cannabis business operations in unincorporated areas on Dec. 12, 2024, adopting Ordinance No. 20241212 after a second reading and recorded vote of 3–2.

County staff read the ordinance and cited Kentucky’s 2024 legislative changes (House Bill 829) and relevant sections of the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS 218B) that permit local governments to opt to ban cannabis businesses in their jurisdictions. The ordinance text states: “All cannabis businesses are hereby prohibited from operating on unincorporated Gallatin County limits.”

Magistrate Sheehan moved to approve the ordinance; Magistrate Moore seconded. The court clarified procedurally that a “yes” vote would accept the prohibition. On the roll call, the chair and two other members provided yes votes while two members voted no; the measure passed by a 3–2 margin. The clerk recorded the result as a 3–2 vote and the ordinance will take effect on enactment and publication as stated in the ordinance language.

Supporters framed the vote as an exercise of county authority under the recently updated state law. Opponents raised objections on the record before the vote; one member cast a recorded no vote. There were no further formal amendments adopted during the session.

The ordinance references state law as the source of local authority; the court’s action applies only to unincorporated Gallatin County. Cities within the county were noted as having separate opt-in/opt-out authority.

The court proceeded after the vote to other budget and administrative items on its agenda.