FRANKFORT, Ky. — Lawmakers on the state's Interim Joint Committee on Agriculture raised concerns Thursday about pricing and opportunities for Kentucky farmers in the nascent medical cannabis program, according to the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission.

A cancer patient testified that he experienced sticker shock when buying medical cannabis in Kentucky compared to prices in neighboring states, prompting calls from legislators to address affordability concerns. The patient, Ricky Wayne Hunt of Hopkinsville, told the committee he pays for the product out-of-pocket and questioned whether price disparities would narrow over time.

Rep. Myron Dossett, R-Pembroke, said he worried that high prices could push patients toward illegal markets or out-of-state purchases. "I feel that...allowing these patients who desperately need this help to be able to go out of state, you're leaning to guide them toward the streets and purchasing something illegal because of the costs," Dossett said.

Sam Flynn, special adviser to the governor and chief deputy general counsel of the Office of Medical Cannabis, attributed higher Kentucky prices to the state's newer market. "Five of our seven surrounding states had a medical cannabis program before we did," Flynn said. "Their markets are more mature. They produce more cannabis and therefore the price is going to be significantly lower in those states versus a state where you're just getting up and operational."

Flynn said the state expects prices to fall as more cultivation and processing facilities come online. The state has awarded licenses to 16 cultivators, 48 dispensaries and 10 processors, and Flynn noted that Kentucky requires all cannabis to be grown indoors to ensure product quality and safety.

Rachel Roberts, executive director of the Kentucky Cannabis Industry Alliance, emphasized that Kentucky-produced cannabis meets higher testing standards than products from more mature markets like Michigan, where volume allows for less rigorous testing.

Committee member Rep. Ryan Bivens, R-Hodgenville, suggested the state should allow patients to purchase cannabis from other states if Kentucky's prices remain uncompetitive. "We have got patients that are dealing with higher prices...Maybe we just need to can this and open it back up so they can go to other states," Bivens said.

Kentucky's medical cannabis program, which began accepting patient applications on January 1, 2025, received 584 applications for just 16 available cultivator licenses. Interested parties go through a lottery process before undergoing inspection and approval.