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Madison County fiscal court bans cannabis business operations in unincorporated county
Summary
The Madison County Fiscal Court adopted Ordinance 2024-16 on second reading to prohibit cannabis business operations in the county’s unincorporated areas under authority of KRS 218B.090 and 218B.130. Officials said the ban preserves local control while medical access remains available in nearby cities.
Madison County’s Fiscal Court voted on Oct. 22 to prohibit cannabis business operations in the county’s unincorporated jurisdiction.
County staff read Ordinance 2024-16 on second reading, citing amendments to state law that allow local governments to prohibit cannabis businesses. The ordinance text states, “All cannabis businesses are hereby prohibited from operating within Madison County Fiscal Court’s unincorporated county jurisdiction.” The ordinance was adopted after a motion, second and a roll-call vote.
Magistrate Dean, who spoke before the vote, said the county ban will not restrict medical access for residents because the cities of Richmond and Berea have already approved medical cannabis facilities, allowing county residents to obtain medical cannabis if medically indicated. There was no public testimony at the second-reading hearing.
County staff said the ordinance will be published in accordance with Kentucky Revised Statutes and takes effect upon adoption. No implementation dates or enforcement steps beyond the publication requirement were specified at the meeting.
The fiscal court completed other business at the Oct. 22 meeting, including approvals of land-use ordinances, ARPA subaward resolutions and a regional economic development agreement. The next fiscal court meeting is scheduled for November 2024 in Berea.
