Kentucky marijuana officials are urging lawmakers to broaden the list of medical conditions that qualify patients for a medical cannabis card. In a letter sent Thursday to top legislative leaders, the OCM outlined its case for expanding eligibility under the state’s relatively new program.
At present, Kentuckians can seek a medical cannabis card if they have been diagnosed with chronic pain, cancer, persistent nausea, PTSD, epilepsy, or multiple sclerosis. The OCM now wants to add 16 additional diagnoses to that list, a move it says would significantly increase access for patients across the commonwealth.
The proposed additions include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, irritable bowel disease, Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease, sickle cell anemia, ulcerative colitis, cachexia, neuropathies, fibromyalgia, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, HIV, AIDS, Huntington’s disease, glaucoma, and terminal illnesses.
Agency officials estimate that expanding eligibility could open the program to roughly 430,000 more residents.
Advocates for cannabis policy reform are also backing the change. According to Dr. Jeremy Haysley, medical director of the Kentucky Medical Marijuana Center, adding more clearly defined conditions would help remove uncertainty for people who are unsure whether their diagnosis meets current standards. Haysley’s clinic assists patients in obtaining cannabis certifications.
Matthew Bratcher, executive director of Kentucky NORML, said broader access could offer relief to people living with long-term or debilitating illnesses. He pointed to the potential for cannabis to serve as an alternative to opioid medications, which have contributed to addiction and overdose crises in the state.
Even so, Bratcher acknowledged that lawmakers may take a cautious approach. He said it is possible the General Assembly will wait until the medical marijuana program has operated for at least a year and participation numbers are clearer before approving additional conditions.
Kentucky legalized medical cannabis in 2023 when legislators passed Senate Bill 47, setting up the regulatory framework for cultivation, sales, and patient access. The first dispensary opened its doors in December 2025, and several more locations have since begun operating statewide.
House Bill 401, sponsored by Rep. Al Gentry, would expand the list of qualifying medical conditions, along with other adjustments to the program. In a statement, Gentry said the time has come to ensure that patients who need cannabis for legitimate medical reasons are not left out.
He added that he plans to introduce two measures this session aimed at widening access and called on fellow lawmakers to support the effort. The broader marijuana industry, including established businesses like Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF), will be glad when Kentucky lawmakers agree to let more patients gain access to medical marijuana.
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