Medical marijuana has been legal in Kentucky for 3 months. Why doesn’t Newport have a dispensary?
It’s been more than three months since medical marijuana became legal in Kentucky, but there are still no dispensaries in sight.Back in November, many living in the commonwealth voted to allow dispensaries.In Newport, city officials now say they don’t have anywhere to put one because of the state’s strict regulations.Medical marijuana dispensaries in Kentucky must be at least 1,000 feet away from schools and daycares.A map made by the city shows where dispensaries could possibly go, highlighted in green, but officials say there aren’t that many commercial spaces available in those areas.A closer look at the map shows one of those green areas is Newport on the Levee, but city leaders explained why that area can’t be used.”They explicitly restrict dispensaries by name, from any of their leasing at their centers,” Brian Steffen, Newport assistant city manager, explained. “So there’s no option for that in that building.”There is no viable location in the city right now, under the current law.”City leaders say if the state relaxes restrictions on dispensaries, they will look into having one in Newport.
It’s been more than three months since medical marijuana became legal in Kentucky, but there are still no dispensaries in sight.
Back in November, many living in the commonwealth voted to allow dispensaries.
In Newport, city officials now say they don’t have anywhere to put one because of the state’s strict regulations.
Medical marijuana dispensaries in Kentucky must be at least 1,000 feet away from schools and daycares.
A map made by the city shows where dispensaries could possibly go, highlighted in green, but officials say there aren’t that many commercial spaces available in those areas.
A closer look at the map shows one of those green areas is Newport on the Levee, but city leaders explained why that area can’t be used.
“They explicitly restrict dispensaries by name, from any of their leasing at their centers,” Brian Steffen, Newport assistant city manager, explained. “So there’s no option for that in that building.
“There is no viable location in the city right now, under the current law.”
City leaders say if the state relaxes restrictions on dispensaries, they will look into having one in Newport.
