Kentucky hosts cannabis convention as state prepares for medical marijuana
Kentucky’s first “Lucky Leaf Expo” brought industry leaders, innovators, and cannabis enthusiasts to downtown Louisville Friday, offering a glimpse into the future of the state’s budding cannabis industry.Hosted at the Kentucky International Convention Center, the event highlighted advanced technology, products, and opportunities as the state gears up for medical cannabis sales.“It’s kind of a tease for the patients because it’s really showing them how good it can be, and they don’t have it yet,” said Dr. Gabrielle Morris of Duber Medical, who helped attendees get certified to use medical cannabis on-site.The expo united professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs like Spencer Charpentier, who sees potential in Kentucky’s emerging market.“The market in Colorado is a little oversaturated now, so it’s nice to come to a fresh market and build a name here,” Charpentier said.Participating companies, such as Sweet Life Canna Co, demonstrated innovations like vertical growing.“We really take it from seed to sale, through the whole process,” said Paul Paolillo, the company’s COO.Despite more than 10,000 medical cannabis cards having been issued in Kentucky so far, many patients are still waiting for dispensaries to open. That’s likely still months down the road.“Patients don’t want to spend the money to get the card and not have access to products,” Dr. Morris explained.An executive order signed Thursday by Governor Andy Beshear ensures anyone who is issued a cannabis card in 2025 will not have to pay a renewal fee next year.The Lucky Leaf Expo continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the convention center.
Kentucky’s first “Lucky Leaf Expo” brought industry leaders, innovators, and cannabis enthusiasts to downtown Louisville Friday, offering a glimpse into the future of the state’s budding cannabis industry.
Hosted at the Kentucky International Convention Center, the event highlighted advanced technology, products, and opportunities as the state gears up for medical cannabis sales.
“It’s kind of a tease for the patients because it’s really showing them how good it can be, and they don’t have it yet,” said Dr. Gabrielle Morris of Duber Medical, who helped attendees get certified to use medical cannabis on-site.
The expo united professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs like Spencer Charpentier, who sees potential in Kentucky’s emerging market.
“The market in Colorado is a little oversaturated now, so it’s nice to come to a fresh market and build a name here,” Charpentier said.
Participating companies, such as Sweet Life Canna Co, demonstrated innovations like vertical growing.
“We really take it from seed to sale, through the whole process,” said Paul Paolillo, the company’s COO.
Despite more than 10,000 medical cannabis cards having been issued in Kentucky so far, many patients are still waiting for dispensaries to open. That’s likely still months down the road.
“Patients don’t want to spend the money to get the card and not have access to products,” Dr. Morris explained.
An executive order signed Thursday by Governor Andy Beshear ensures anyone who is issued a cannabis card in 2025 will not have to pay a renewal fee next year.
The Lucky Leaf Expo continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the convention center.
