Garry Kort Cannabis Dispensary
When the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis held its final lottery drawing for dispensary licenses on December 16, 2024, Garry Kort emerged among the select winners in the Bluegrass region—specifically securing the Richmond, Madison County slot. Since then, Kort has maintained his position as the licensed dispensary provider for Madison County—choosing to remain locally rooted while nearby Robert Hoogendyk opted to relocate his license to Jessamine County.
Richmond represents a strategic choice with significant advantage: it is home to Eastern Kentucky University and serves as a key hub in Eastern Kentucky. The city’s urban characteristics and its population of local residents and college students make it an ideal location for a fully accessible medical cannabis provider. Moreover, Madison County had received two dispensary licenses in the lottery, but only one can be retained per county—Kort’s decision to stay signals a confident, long‑term local commitment.
Beyond licensure, Kort appears to be proactively involved in Richmond’s cannabis milieu. City officials recently updated zoning laws—shifting to allow cannabis cultivation in industrial zones and dispensaries in highway business and other commercial areas. These legal adjustments align with Kort’s active preparations, suggesting he is readying for a dispensary launch—potentially with site plans near major corridors for maximum patient accessibility.
As an individual operator—not part of a large multi-state organization or pandemic‑era conglomerate—Kort’s model seems patient-centered and locally oriented. Without a corporate brand yet, he may choose a clinic-style name reminiscent of a neighborhood healthcare provider or apothecary, emphasizing trust, wellness, and education. His likely proximity to EKU could also foster collaboration—enabling educational outreach, university partnerships, and cannabis science integration.
Richmond also hosts at least one Tier III cultivator, Natural State GreenGrass Canna Co, which selected Richmond for its cultivation operations. Kort’s proximity to local growers holds promise for a Kentucky-grown supply chain that can launch smoothly once the product is ready for distribution.
Looking ahead, Kort will proceed through key pre-launch stages: finalizing site lease or purchase within Richmond’s new cannabis‑friendly zones; building out facilities that meet state regulations; applying for inspections; and securing a license fee payment within the required 15‑day window to preserve his license. Given Kentucky’s first medical cannabis cards were issued in January 2025, and with dispensaries expected to open later in 2025,
