WINCHESTER, Ky. — Cresco Labs announced the completion of its first cannabis harvest at its Winchester cultivation facility, marking an early milestone for Kentucky's medical cannabis program, which became operational in January after years of regulatory development.

The company said in a statement Monday that it harvested more than 1,300 plants expected to yield up to 200,000 grams of flower, which will be processed into approximately 30,000 product units across 15 patient-preferred strains. "This harvest shows how Kentucky's program is shifting from buildout to delivery," said Melissa Wagamon, regional vice president at Cresco Labs.

Kentucky's medical cannabis program was signed into law by Gov. Andy Beshear on March 31, 2023, and took effect January 1, 2025. The Office of Medical Cannabis in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services administers the program, which aims to provide regulated cannabis access for patients with qualifying conditions including chronic pain, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The $15.4 million Winchester facility is one of Kentucky's largest cultivation operations. When fully operational, it is expected to employ at least 100 people. Following harvest, cannabis plants undergo drying, curing, testing, and processing before distribution to state dispensaries.

The harvest comes as the first dispensaries have begun operations this year, with state officials expecting more facilities to open throughout 2026. The timing of the harvest on April 20, a date historically associated with cannabis culture, was described by the company as fitting.

However, the Cresco licensing process has drawn scrutiny. Kentucky Public Radio reported that Cresco Labs was able to secure one of the state's most lucrative cultivation licenses through a lottery system, with more than 20 Cresco-affiliated companies submitting 128 applications at a cost of $740,000, raising concerns about out-of-state companies gaming the process.