Published on January 09, 2025
Important Update About Medical Cannabis at Owensboro Health
Starting January 1, 2025, a new law took effect legalizing medical cannabis in Kentucky. Owensboro Health is committed to working closely with state officials to prepare for this change. We are committed to prioritizing patient safety and complying with all relevant federal and state laws and regulations.
We understand patients and community members may have questions about what the new law means for you. Key information and FAQs are included below, and more details are available at the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis website.
Owensboro Health Policies
Medical cannabis is not allowed at any of Owensboro Health’s hospitals or facilities. If a patient or visitor with a medical cannabis card brings medical cannabis products to our facilities, it will be subject to our contraband policies and may be confiscated.
For Eligible Patients
Only patients with specific health conditions are eligible to purchase and use medical cannabis under the new state law. These include:
- Cancer (regardless of stage)
- Chronic, severe, intractable or debilitating pain
- Epilepsy or any other intractable seizure disorder
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscle spasms or spasticity
- Chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting syndrome that has proven resistant to other conventional medical treatments
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Eligible patients who have a qualifying condition must receive written certification from a doctor to get a medical cannabis card. The Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis maintains a list of authorized medical cannabis practitioners at its website.
To learn more about medical cannabis or your eligibility, talk to your doctor or visit the state’s website at KYmedcan.ky.gov.
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.