On March 31, 2023, Governor Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 into law, legalizing the use of medical cannabis by qualified Kentuckians
beginning January 1, 2025.
Cannabis consumption outside of the medical cannabis program remains illegal in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Under Kentucky law, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who have been authorized by the Kentucky Board of Nursing to be medical cannabis practitioners can issue written certifications verifying the patient has a qualifying condition for medicinal cannabis treatment.
The certifications are not “prescriptions.” Certification verifies that the patient has a qualifying condition that makes them eligible to use cannabis for medicinal purposes. The patient must use the certification to obtain a registry identification card from the Cabinet of Health and Family Services.
A list of qualifying medical conditions may be found in
Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 218B.010(26).
Eligibility for authorization to provide written certifications.
Eligibility to provide written certifications, as well as initial and continuing education requirements are located in
Kentucky Administrative Regulation 201 KAR 20:067.
There is a $100 nonrefundable fee to apply for the authorization to provide written certifications.
Instructions for the application process may be located on the Kentucky Board of Nursing website.
Practitioners must also register with the
Kentucky Office of Medicinal Cannabis.
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