The Cave City Council will be meeting at it’s regular time of 5 p.m. this evening, to a lengthy agenda. One item in particular has garnered public attention, and that is the discussion with the Joint City-County Planning Commission (JCCPC) about amending the Barren County Comprehensive Plan to get the city ready to regulate the growing and the distribution of medical cannabis.
Kevin Myatt, Planning Director JCCPC spoke on what the comprehensive plan is, comparing the plan to a guide for the city and county to aid in the decisions made by local governments that would affect the public in social or economic ways. This plan, along with the land usage maps, is updated every five years per Kentucky State Law, but smaller amendments are made throughout the years to better keep up with the needs of the public and municipalities.
On March 31, 2023, Governor Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 (SB 47) into law, legalizing medical cannabis for Kentuckians beginning Jan. 1, 2025. Cannabis consumption outside of the medical cannabis program remains illegal in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Myatt, speaking about the discussion to be held this evening, did say that there are things that the JCCPC doesn’t know right now, but, the JCCPC and Cave City government needs to be proactive rather than reactive to better equip the city for 2025.
As far as the oversight and governing of the production and distribution, Myatt said, “We (the JCCPC) have no control over that.” He went on to explain the role of the JCCPC in this process.
With the subject matter being a sensitive area for many, discussion had at tonight’s meeting should explore all facets of medical marijuana use and production.
