Cave City farmer Chad Wilson was one of the few members of the public who spoke at the special-called meeting of the Barren County Fiscal Court. After the meeting he confirmed he will be applying with the state as a small grower of medical cannabis and noted that while it was quite expensive and a risk he hopes his experience will give him a leg up when the state decides who will be approved. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
After hearing from a member of the Barren County community, the magistrates of the Barren County Fiscal Court voted to allow medical cannabis businesses to operate within the confines of the 500 square mile county.
The meeting, which was on June 27, was called roughly a week after the regularly scheduled June 18 meeting of the court where each of the seven county magistrates voiced their opinions on this much-discussed question. At that meeting some were in favor of opting in while others voiced their desire for the county to take a “wait-and-see” approach and still others thought the question should go on the November ballot for a public vote.
At that meeting no action was taken and Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd said it would likely be until July before the court “took a stand” on the question. In light of this the conversations continued with Magistrate Jeff Botts encouraging Barren County residents to call them either personally or through the county office and express their opinions.
In addition to that request this special-called agenda included an “open public discussion” inviting the people of the county to address the assembled magistrates.
“We wanted to make this an open public discussion. I knew we were already having this special-called meeting so I added it to the agenda,” Byrd said. “This is for anybody who, from a public standpoint, would like to speak to the magistrates directly.”
Speaking time was limited to five minutes. Six minutes into the roughly hour-long meeting Chad Wilson, a Cave City resident, owner of Hippie Joe’s and who is a hemp farmer with over a decade of growing experience, stepped up to the podium after Byrd opened the discussion.
“I’m here because I’m nervous. I’m scared when I hear our county is looking to opt out,” Wilson said. “I’ve been working for 12 years…[and] I’ve invested everything into my farm. When these bills passed I started making investments. I’ve got four greenhouses, I’ve built two structures, I’ve got barns and storage warehouses, I’ve got trimming. I have all the equipment. I have everything I need to meet the specs.”
“It really terrifies me that all of my investment could stop because of my zip code,” he added.
Once his five minutes had elapsed each magistrate in turn expressed their views on this question. All the magistrates with the exception of Tim Coomer spoke in favor of opting in. Each used different reasons for their opting-in position; some cited potential job growth others said opting in would make access to the plant easier for those who need it.
Coomer, who vehemently said he is “200 percent” for medical cannabis use, advocated for opting out right now based on the “unknowns” still surrounding the question, its enforcement and its regulations.
“My problem is people don’t know what’s going to come down the pipe,” Coomer said.
“You ask people if they are for medical marijuana; that’s a simple question, they’re not going to have to deal with all the mandates…coming from the state,” Coomer said. “This is going to put a burden on our county attorney, our law enforcement and all these things. I look in the past at things we’ve jumped into and that’s what makes me so hesitant.”
Byrd also spoke on the question pointing out the topic before the court was not whether an individual could use medical marijuana but whether business could locate here. She said the vote by the court would not overly effect the county since it is quite expensive, and nonrefundable, for an individual to enter the lottery that determines whether a person is an approved grower, manufacturer or dispenser.
“I do not think this is a program you’ll see on every street corner because it’s a very hard process to even get selected [and] it’s a lot of money, so I don’t think by voting yes we’re opening up a door for multiple, multiple [medical cannabis businesses].”
In the end, Magistrate Marty Kinslow made the motion to vote on the question during the meeting rather than waiting till July as previously suggested. That motion was seconded by Magistrate Brad Groce and a roll call vote was held.
In a 6-1 vote with Coomer dissenting the motion to opt in was passed though currently no officially ordinances have been brought to the court.
The medical cannabis issue is complex with state regulations changing frequently. If you would like to read more about the regulations and laws peruse the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis website here.
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