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Kentucky Governor Touts Surge In Medical Marijuana Patient And Business Approvals As State Prepares For Program Launch

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The governor of Kentucky is touting a milestone of registering more than 15,000 medical marijuana patients as the state’s program is set to launch—and he says officials are expected to have approved licenses for all four types of cannabis businesses to supply the market by next week.

During a briefing on Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) gave an update on the commonwealth’s progress to stand up the medical marijuana program. And in the nearly 300 days since the state started accepting patient applications, 21,000 electronic certifications have been processed. Of those, about 15,000 patients have been approved as card holders.

“Since taking office, my administration has been committed to providing access to health care and creating safe communities in Kentucky,” the governor said. “One of our priorities is to ensure that Kentucky suffering from PTSD and serious medical conditions like cancer or multiple multiple sclerosis can have safe access to medical cannabis as soon as possible to get the relief they need.”

Part of the success of the program rollout and large volume of patient certifications is the fact Kentucky now has about 500 doctors who are authorized to issue written medical cannabis recommendations.

“That number is set to grow as more health care providers complete training,” Beshear said.


Gov. Andy Beshear - Provides Media Availability 10.23.25

After obtaining a written recommendation, patients use an online portal to submit the information to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, after which point officials review the application and issue a medical cannabis card.

“We’re seeing strong engagement from our medical community, which shows confidence in this program,” he said. “We’re also making progress when it comes to the supply chain.”

There are four licensing categories within the state’s medical marijuana program: cultivators, processors, safety compliance facilities and dispensaries. The governor said “by next week, Kentucky will have approved licenses in each and every category, which is great news.”

He added that the first processor license applicant will have their facility inspected for approval on October 29, which will “complete the program’s full process cycle from cultivation to dispensary.”

“We’re getting closer to delivering on the promise of safe medical cannabis for Kentuckians in need,” Beshear said.

A Kentucky medical marijuana cultivation facility harvested its first yield of cannabis earlier this month, the Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC) said.

Last month, Beshear said he thought medical marijuana would be available to Kentucky patients by the end of 2025.

“I think most of our dispensaries now have their home address [and] are set about where they’re going to be, but [for] some of the inspections that have to happen in dispensaries, they have to have product that’s there,” he said. “So I do believe they’ll be operating before the end of the year.”

Those comments came roughly a month after the governor announced that the state’s first medical cannabis dispensary was officially approved for operations, calling it “another step forward as we work to ensure Kentuckians with serious medical conditions have access to the medicine they need and deserve.”

He previously touted an earlier “milestone” in the state’s forthcoming medical marijuana program, with a licensed cultivator producing “the first medical cannabis inventory in Kentucky history.”

In July, Beshear sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to reject congressional spending bill provisions that would prevent the Justice Department from rescheduling marijuana.

In the letter to the president, he emphasized that a pending proposal to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is something “you supported in your presidential campaign.”

“That process should be allowed to play out. Americans deserve leadership that won’t move the goalposts on them in the middle of the game,” Beshear said, noting that he was among the tens of thousands who submitted public comments in favor of the reform after it was initiated under the Biden administration, “demonstrating broad public interest in rescheduling.”

“I joined that effort because this is about helping people. Rescheduling would provide suffering patients the relief they need,” the governor said. “It would ensure communities are safer—because legal medical products reduce the illicit market. It would provide new, meaningful research on health benefits.”

Beshear also mentioned a letter to DEA he signed onto last year urging rescheduling, “because the jury is no longer out on marijuana. It has medical benefits.”

Back on the state level, the governor recently said he acknowledges that “it’s taken longer than we would have liked” to stand up the industry since he signed medical marijuana legalization into law in 2023.

In recognition of that delayed implementation, he recently signed an executive order to waive renewal fees for patients who get their cards this year so that they don’t get charged again before retailers open. And another order he signed providing protections for qualified patients who obtain medical marijuana outside of Kentucky “will stay in place.”

Beshear separately announced in May that the state has launched a new online directory that lets people see where medical cannabis dispensaries will be opening near them.

He emphasized that the state has been working to deliver access to patients “at the earliest possible date,” and that involved expediting the licensing process. The governor in January also ceremonially awarded the commonwealth’s first medical marijuana cards.


Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.


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Meanwhile, the governor sent a letter to Kentucky’s congressional delegation in January, “urging them to take decisive action to protect the constitutional rights of our law abiding medical cannabis patients” by repealing the federal ban on gun possession by people who use marijuana.

That came after bipartisan Kentucky senators filed legislation that similarly called on the state’s federal representatives to take corrective action, which Beshear said he supports but would like to see even more sweeping change on the federal level.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) warned Kentucky residents late last year that, if they choose to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program, they will be prohibited from buying or possessing firearms under federal law.

As far as the implementation of the state’s medical cannabis law goes, Beshear said in his State of the Commonwealth address in January that patients will have access to cannabis sometime “this year.” He also later shared tips for patients to find a doctor and get registered to participate in the cannabis program.

Health practitioners have been able to start assessing patients for recommendations since the beginning of December.

While there currently aren’t any up-and-running dispensaries available to patients, Beshear has further affirmed that an executive order he signed in 2023 will stay in effect in the interim, protecting patients who possess medical cannabis purchased at out-of-state licensed retailers.

During last year’s November election, Kentucky also saw more than 100 cities and counties approve local ordinances to allow medical cannabis businesses in their jurisdictions. The governor said the election results demonstrate that “the jury is no longer out” on the issue that is clearly supported by voters across partisan and geographical lines.

Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.

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Bad Stoner Horror: The 10 Worst-Rated 420 Scary Movies

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The horror genre and weed culture have crossed paths plenty of times, giving birth to a quirky (and often laced with humor) subgenre known as stoner horror. But not all of these productions hit the mark as hard as the great masterpiece Cabin In the Woods (2011), the hilarious This Is The End (2013), or even the prettydecent Idle Hands (1999). Some have earned the label of the “worst stoner horror flicks” thanks to their ridiculous plots, low-budget special effects, and questionable acting.

Among the most notorious examples are Evil Bong (2006), Bong of the Dead (2011), and Pot Zombies (2005). While these films lack solid execution, they’ve managed to gain cult status among B-movie horror fans thanks to their over-the-top, often comical approach.

So, are they worth watching? Maybe, maybe not, but one thing’s for sure: when a film goes from bad to downright terrible, it can still make for some pretty good entertainment.

Here’s your list (watch out! Spoilers ahead).

Ranked from best to worst: 10 weed-infused horror movies

10 – Bong of the Living Dead (2017)

This horror-comedy follows a group of stoner friends who see their dream of surviving a zombie apocalypse come true. At first, it seems exciting, but they soon realize the apocalypse isn’t nearly as fun as they imagined.

The movie blends classic stoner humor with a heavy dose of zombie gore. With subtle recalls to Shaun of the Dead, it works as a parody of the zombie genre made on a shoestring budget, but standing out for its creativity and style.

9 – The Tripper (2006)

Directed by David Arquette and starring Courteney Cox (Friends), this film mixes horror with political satire. A group of young people head to a music festival in the woods, only to be hunted by a serial killer obsessed with Ronald Reagan. Serving as a critique of 1980s conservative politics, the movie stands out for its bloody, offbeat approach.

8 – Trim Season (2024)

In this horror thriller, a group of seasonal workers venture onto a remote weed farm in California, only to discover something far more sinister lurking among the plants. The film blends rural horror with a critique of labor exploitation.

7 – Hansel & Gretel Get Baked (2013)

This horror-comedy puts a modern twist on the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel. When Gretel discovers a powerful strain called Black Forest, she and her brother find themselves embroiled in a bloody adventure involving a modern-day witch, played by Lara Flynn Boyle (Twin Peaks). With irreverent humor and horror effects, this film is a bizarre and modern take on the classic.

6 – Evil Bong (2006)

A horror-comedy starring cannabis icon Tommy Chong, where a group of friends buys a mysterious bong that turns out to be possessed. After lighting up, they are transported to a hellish dimension where they must fight for their lives. The film is part of a series known for its absurd humor: its sequel, Evil Bong 420, has an even lower rating: a whooping 2.6/10 on IMDb.

5 – 4/20 Massacre (2018)

Five girlfriends decide to spend April 20th (4/20) camping in a national park, where they come across an illegal grow operation and are forced to fight to survive against a killer maniac. This film blends slasher horror with weed culture, offering both scares and references to stoner icons.

4 – Halloweed (2016)

Two brothers, one of them famous for being the son of a serial killer, move to a new town to escape their past. However, murder follows the family as they try to enjoy a quiet, pot-fueled life.

3 – Star Leaf (2015)

In this science fiction film, a group of friends discovers an alien cannabis plant in the forest that can connect humans to other dimensions. However, smoking from it attracts the attention of extraterrestrial forces.

2 – Bong of the Dead (2011)

Not to be confused with Bong of the Living Dead, in this low-budget horror comedy, two stoner friends survive a zombie apocalypse using weed as their primary defense tool. It’s an irreverent, low-budget take that parodies the zombie genre.

1 – Pot Zombies (2005)

In this cult horror film, people who smoke contaminated pot turn into bloodthirsty zombies. It’s a low-budget production with a B-movie aesthetic that has become a classic within the stoner horror subgenre.



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Vee the Traveling Cannabis Writer Unveils First Book in Cannabis Legacy Series – Ganjapreneur

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Acclaimed cannabis journalist and documentarian Veronica “Vee” Castillo has released the first installment of her series The Traveling Cannabis Writer’s Guide to America’s Hidden Gems.  Part 1 of the series, dubbed The 30,000-Foot View, is an impactful collection of notes from the road bringing together more than six years of on-the-ground reporting from across the United States, and highlighting the voices, businesses, and cultural movements often overlooked by mainstream media coverage.

Castillo has built a reputation as one of the most trusted grassroots storytellers in cannabis media. Through 200+ published articles across more than 20 publications, she has documented the cannabis movement not from behind a desk, but face-to-face with craft cultivators, equity entrepreneurs, reform advocates, and plant medicine practitioners operating within the legacy of prohibition. From small farming towns to inner-city collectives, Castillo’s work places community and lived experience at the center of the cannabis narrative.

About the Book

Part memoir, part documentary journalism, and part social history, The 30,000-Foot View explores:

  • The origins of a journey — Castillo’s decision to leave her home in Ohio in 2018 and travel the country to learn about plant medicine after cannabis helped her overcome debilitating migraines.
  • Women shaping cannabis innovation — Insightful profiles of women—primarily Black, Brown, and Latina entrepreneurs—building purpose-driven brands in a system not built for them.
  • Culture and connection — A rare look at cannabis’ cultural roots across Puerto Rico, Florida, Chicago, and beyond, where food, music, tradition, and plant medicine intersect.
  • Advocacy on tour — Behind-the-scenes documentation of educational, business, and policy tours that connected grassroots operators and advanced equity conversations nationwide.
  • The economics of survival — A frank examination of taxes, regulation, and the true cost of building an equitable cannabis industry under ongoing systemic pressure.

A Record of Cannabis Progress, as Shared by the People in It

With state-level drug policy reforms sweeping the country and consolidation reshaping the cannabis business landscape, Castillo believes it is urgent to preserve the legacy of the movement before it becomes distorted.

“Corporate cannabis didn’t build this industry,” Castillo writes. “Communities did. Healers did. Freedom fighters did. Farmers did. People harmed by the War on Drugs did. These are their stories, and they deserve permanence.”

In contrast to most cannabis industry analysis available in book form, Castillo’s work is lived, personal, and fiercely human. She brings readers into farms, family kitchens, hemp mansions, trap-adjacent clinics, cross-country tour vans, and policy meetings alike. The 30,000 Foot View is a historical archive in motion and a rallying call for equity-centered growth in cannabis. 

Availability

The 30,000 Foot View is now available on Kindle. For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, and speaking engagements, please reach out to: Veetravelingvegcannawriter@gmail.com



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[Video] G Herbo: Snoop Rolled My Blunt and Let Me Hit It, Smoking A Zip a Day, Chicago Munchies (Weird) and What’s Next

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Some stories don’t need dressing. They just land. G Herbo sits back, cracks a grin and lets it fly. A story you can picture.

“Probably with Snoop,” he says when asked about his most memorable sesh. “I was like 18. I left a bunch of Swishers on the table, came back and Snoop was already rolling my [expletive] up. I was like, ‘Yeah.’ He let me hit the blunt. It was my blunt.”

That’s the energy of this sit-down, hosted by Shirley Ju for High Times and presented by Slapwoods. Herbo is calm, funny, direct. He talks like a guy who’s seen the miles and still remembers the corners.

Work rate stays high. “You just dropped the ‘Reason’ music video. One million in 4 days,” Shirley notes. Herbo nods: “Yeah, that’s crazy. I feel like the energy is picking up. The support I’m getting from my core fans and the new fans behind this… I thought it would get a million in a week or two, but four days was different. I think that’s the fastest I’ve ever hit that.”

Chicago pride shows up like a reflex. On the highlight of the shoot he adds, “Nobody really did that. No artist went back to Chicago and in 24s riding around in drop-tops and [stuff] like that. So I knew it was going to get some attention.”

Then comes the era fans always ask about. How much was he smoking back then?

“Probably like a zip,” Herbo says. With the homies it went faster, but solo it was still heavy. “By myself I know I smoke at least a seven to a fourteen a day for sure, ’cause I wake up and roll like four blunts and my blunts were big.” The routine was simple: “I get up, brush my teeth, smoke weed, then eat.”

When the jar dips below a threshold, it’s time to move. “Any time you go lower than a seven, you got to go get more,” he says. Strain-wise he kept it modern: “I really like smoking a lot of Runtz, Gumbo, [stuff] like that.”

Etiquette matters. Biggest pet peeve in a sesh? “Making a blunt wet.” The lip-gloss scenario comes up and he laughs: “Yeah, that’s terrible. That’s my second most for sure. With the lip gloss I don’t even want it no more. He can have it at that point.”

Herbo’s taste is classic. Favorite smoking song: “Styles P, ‘Good Times’.” (“Good Times (I Get High),” 2002.) Favorite stoner movies: “Between Friday and How High. I still watch either if I’m high and laugh all day. Or The Wash. I like watching The Wash when I’m high.” (Friday, 1995; How High, 2001; The Wash, 2001.)

Snoop again. The memory returns in full. “We were at Tree Sound in Atlanta. I left a bunch of Swishers on the table, came back and Snoop was just rolling my [stuff] up. I was happy. I hit the blunt a couple times and went to work. I was super star-struck, so I left him alone.”

Growth sits next to the flex. Holding the old Lil Herb cover, he reflects: “I’ll be 30 in six days. I don’t even remember what I got locked up for, but I look very frustrated… I was wild for sure back then, man. And I’m grateful to be in this headspace, to have matured and grown up from being that kid.”

The music is rolling. “The energy behind that record is insane right now. I got to give credit to Southside. He was like, ‘Drop this record. This the record you need to drop.’ He does it every time. It never fails.” There’s more coming too: “Lil Herb the album 1/17.” (Slated for January 17.)

For now, he’s taking a break from the smoke. “A few more months and I’ll be back smoking weed. I can’t wait.” CBD flower never grabbed him. “No, I haven’t.” Edibles are a no: “I never really got in tune with edibles. You’ll be glued to the couch. When I’m too high and can’t think, I’m trying to think for other people. I don’t like that. I try to sleep it off, but on edibles, your mind be going crazy. I can’t really rap off it either ’cause I’ll be too high. I overthink.”

Chicago slips back in through the munchies door with a hyper-local gem. “Have you had a pickle with chips at the same time? It’s like some Chicago [stuff]… Hot Flamins in a pickle.” The room backs it up. If you know, you know.

The conversation closes where it started, with work and collaboration. On Coi, he lights up: “That [stuff] is fire. Coi is super talented. She makes great music for sure. Any time she sends me something I’m on it quick.”

That’s the thread. The kid in the mugshot found his center. The fan who was star-struck at Tree Sound became the artist with a million-view sprint and a city on his back. The weed tales are part of it. The discipline is the other part. And the music keeps coming.

Interview by Shirley Ju for High Times.

Presented by Slapwoods.





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