Barren County Fiscal Court discuss medical cannabis, no action foreseen until July

By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1

The Barren County Fiscal Court magistrates met on the third floor of the Barren County Government Center to discuss a variety of agenda items including approval of payments, department and public official reports, and the issue of medical marijuana business operations within the county limits.

Though it was listed as the last thing on the court’s agenda, the discussion of the medical cannabis issue took roughly 40 minutes out of the 80 minute meeting with multiple magistrates speaking in favor and opposition of opting in to allow growers, manufacturers and distributors to operate within the county limits. Opting in or out of medical marijuana business does not prohibit approved individuals from using medical cannabis.

On March 31, 2023 Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed Kentucky Senate Bill 47, which legalized medical cannabis in the commonwealth effective Jan. 1, 2025. Since that time the Office of Medical Cannabis — a subsection of the Cabinet of Health and Family Services — has been crafting regulations regarding the “procedures for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of cannabis business licenses.”

One of the things that must be decided on the local level is whether or not city and counties will opt in or out of allowing such business operations within their respective spheres of influence. Local governments must make a decision by the end of Dec. 2024 and so the topic has been the focus of much conversation across each of Barren County’s governments. Glasgow City Council recently had the first reading where they moved to opt out as has Park City. Cave City has opted in according to Kevin Myatt, planning director for the Joint City-County Planning Commission.

It was in this context that Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd opened the floor for the magistrates to speak on the issue. Magistrate Tim Coomer was the first to speak, like some others in government he advocated for a wait-and-see approach.

“I just want to say I am 100 percent for medical cannabis as far as if our county will opt in or out I think most everyone knows that once you opt in you cannot get out; you’re locked in, but you can opt in at anytime [and] with all the unknowns…my feeling is we should opt out at this time,” Coomer said. “I think we should wait and see how it goes. I think there are a lot of hidden [things]…it’s not like people aren’t going to be able to get it.”

“Let’s see how it goes this first year,” he added.

Magistrate Tim Durham agreed with Coomer, but suggested presenting the issue to the people of Barren County for their vote.

“As a magistrate of Barren County I don’t feel like I am capable of making [this] decision by myself,” Durham said. “So what I propose is to see it be put on the ballot and let [the people] vote for whether or not we have it. I feel that if something like this were to come into our county [the people] need to have a choice.”

Myatt said if the medical cannabis issue did appear on the ballot and get voted down that they would have to wait three years before it could be brought up again. He also said the application window for individuals to apply for one of the grower, distributor, or manufacturer “lottery” was going to be in July and August, and, with the election not being until November, prospective individuals would not know if the county opted in or out before having to apply — for clarification people can enter the “lottery” before they know the decision of their government and if they decide to opt out will have to relocate their business address. They also cannot hold a special election for this issue.

“I have no problem going to the county to vote,” Coomer said. “I just don’t think we’re prepared. I don’t think the voters have enough information to make an honest vote at this time. Anytime you vote on something you need to know as much about it as you can and I don’t think we’re ready as a county. I know I’m not.”

Marty Kinslow, a magistrate for the county’s fifth district, spoke in support of opting in saying it could potentially be a source of jobs for Barren County. Magistrate Brad Groce also voiced his support of opting in.

“This is going to happen…and I don’t want to be the one to drag my feet,” Kinslow said. “I am in favor of opting in as soon as possible.”

Magistrate Jeff Botts suggested holding a town meeting to hear from the public. Byrd said she was not opposed to that idea. As of yet no such town hall has been scheduled. Barren County Attorney Mike Richardson and Sheriff Kent Keen also spoke about the enforcement of medical cannabis.

Byrd said this was only a discussion and suggested they push the actual vote to July.

“To help us magistrates make a decision…anyone who’s possibly out there considering [this] to call us or at the main office,” Botts said. “If we get zero calls from them then we know nobody is interested.”