JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) – It’s been almost a year since medical marijuana became legal here in Kentucky.
Now, the industry is finally seeing progress.
In Jessamine County VS Kentucky Ops has been approved to operate their Tier 2 cultivation license.
That means they can grow the plant here on site.
It’ll bring out of state brands like Buoyant Bob and Vivid to Kentucky through a partnership with Trilux Kentucky Management.
But per Kentucky regulations, only registered patients with medical marijuana cards can buy products.
CEO of Trulix, Boston Dickerson says the marijuana grown here will stay here in Kentucky. It’s also subject to mandatory testing to ensure safety and quality.
Right now, eligibility for a medical marijuana card is limited. But as the industry grows, Dickerson hopes the uses expand.
“It’s a very unique plant and I think as Kentuckians start to see that and have safe access to consistent cannabis, there’s so many ailments this plant can help with,” Dickerson said.
David Delpilar is the cultivation manager, he oversees the plant’s growing conditions.
He says it’s a delicate plant that needs specific conditions to survive
“A big part of my job is making sure that the plants have the proper temperature, humidity…that they’re getting watered properly,” Delpilar said.
But because this plant is medicine, before visitors go into the facility, they have to put on protective gear to keep the product safe for medical use.
Once people have been adequately sanitized, Delpilar leads us to four flowering rooms with different cultivars, or varieties inside.
Using plant science, Delpilar and the team are able to clone the plants through propagation, which leads to a consistent product.
“When you go to the dispensary and get something that I’ve grown, it helps you with whatever condition you have, I want you to feel like you can go to the dispensary next week and get more, rely on that consistent experience,” Delpilar said.
Growing cannabis is just one piece of the puzzle. When the plant is harvested in around 9 to 14 weeks, it will be hung up in the drying room.
“10 days to two weeks depending, they’ll get moved through that process into what we call post harvest which is trimming the flower, curing the flower, getting it ready for packaging,” Delpilar said.
Right now, the facility is in phase one, but they’re working on expanding it.
What used to only be seen as a street drug is now used as a medical tool here in Kentucky.
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