Exciting Times for Nicholasville: Cannabis Ordinance Approved!

Exciting Times for Nicholasville: Cannabis Ordinance Approved!

Hello, Nicholasville! Big changes are on the way for our city as the City Commission recently gave a green light to an **important ordinance** allowing cannabis business operations here. Let’s break it down together so we can all stay informed about what this means for us.

What’s the Story?

In the spring of this year, there was quite a bit of deliberation among our city officials when they voted to *restrict cannabis businesses* from operating in Nicholasville. At the time, Mayor **Alex Carter** expressed that the commission needed to gather more information on the state’s regulations before making a decision. After all, starting in 2025, medicinal cannabis will be legal in Kentucky thanks to Senate Bill 47, which allows cities like ours to determine whether they want cannabis operations within their boundaries.

Fast forward to August 26, 2024. Mayor Carter provided a wealth of information at the city commission meeting, including new state regulations pertaining to cannabis. With so many details to consider, the commission couldn’t help but conduct a deep dive into what this meant for Nicholasville.

What’s New in the Ordinance?

The main takeaway from the August meeting was the introduction of **Ordinance 169-2024**. This ordinance is designed to amend our code of ordinances, allowing cannabis operations in Nicholasville and negating any previous ordinances that conflict with this decision. It seems the city is ready to embrace what the future holds!

Interestingly, after passing the ordinance to restrict any form of cannabis sales or production, the city officials learned about an existing testing facility right here in Nicholasville, known as **KCA Labs**. They perform quality tests on marijuana and hemp, and have plans to keep operating as the state rolls out medical cannabis laws.

A Step in the Right Direction

The decision to allow cannabis business operations has been met with enthusiasm. Mayor Carter emphasized, “It’s a potential business opportunity. We’re all pro-business here and want to support these small businesses, and our citizens will benefit from the medical care that they need as well.” This fresh perspective could open doors for not just businesses, but also for residents in need of those medical services.

What’s Next for Nicholasville?

The next Nicholasville City Commission meeting scheduled for **September 9, 2024**, is expected to feature a second reading of this pivotal ordinance. After the commission’s unanimous vote to approve the ordinance, it appears we’re heading toward a more progressive approach to cannabis in the city.

As of now, the only area in our county that has completely barred the sale, production, and testing of medical marijuana is neighboring Wilmore. Other areas are gearing up to welcome these businesses, with Jessamine County taking a neutral stance so far, allowing operations with the possibility of future rejection until the law goes into full effect in 2025.

Looking Forward

As Nicholasville prepares for this new chapter, it’s essential to remember that residents in possession of a prescription for medical cannabis will still be able to purchase and use their medication from nearby counties or municipalities, even if we don’t have local dispensaries right away.

Let’s keep the conversation going as our community embraces these changes. Being informed helps us make the best decisions for our city and for each other. It’s an exciting time for Nicholasville, and we’re thrilled to think about all the possibilities ahead!