Calloway County and the city of Murray have voted in support of medical marijuana dispensaries operations in the region.

While elections and amendments took center stage, Calloway County and the city of Murray voted 63% to 37% in favor of allowing medical cannabis dispensaries in their area. 

Gov. Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 in 2023, legalizing medical marijuana statewide, yet the bill allows for counties to bar businesses selling the drug from their territory. Calloway, as well as 53 other counties in Kentucky, featured measures on their ballots leaving the decision up to voters. 

Estelle Owens, Murray resident and supporter of the measure, said that allowing the businesses in the area can offer a major assistance to those struggling with health issues. 

“I think as a community we have an obligation to explore all options to ease the suffering of our friends, families and neighbors,” Owens said. “We’ve seen all the extremes people are willing to go to get the relief they need when all other options fail. Our community and country are being ravaged by unregulated street drugs, often as a form of self medication for genuine issues and people are dying.”

The lottery ticket drawing for dispensary operations will take place on Nov. 25 at the Kentucky Lottery Corporations in Louisville.