Frequently asked questions
Our physicians are board-certified in Anesthesiology, the medical specialty relating to pain management.
Our founder, Dr. Grell, served on Kentucky’s Board of Physicians and Advisors, so you can rest assured that we operate in full compliance with state laws and regulations.
KYMMC has been interviewed and featured by The Courier Journal, WDRB News, Spectrum News 1, Wave 3 News, and Nerd Nite Louisville giving you additional peace of mind that our credentials are valid and that we are experts in medical cannabis.
We provide patient and disease-specific recommendations for medical cannabis use to maximize benefits and minimize side effects.
We offer convenient appointment times outside traditional clinic hours.
We will notarize the Patient Application Signature Page for you right in the office - saving you time and money to not have to find a notary!
When needed we offer virtual follow-up appointments for your convenience at a substantial discount ($100).
Under Kentucky law (KRS 218B.010), medical cannabis is currently approved for these core conditions:
Any type or stage of cancer
Chronic, severe, or debilitating pain
Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
Multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, or spasticity
Chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting syndrome that hasn’t responded to other treatments
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Our board-certified physicians can help to assess if medical cannabis is a suitable option for managing your symptoms and to recommend specific cannabis strains tailored to your needs. We can diagnose and certify patients for chronic pain, muscle spasms, spasticity, chronic nausea, cyclical vomiting syndrome, and PTSD. However, if you have cancer, epilepsy, or multiple sclerosis, we recommend consulting a neurologist or oncologist for diagnosis and treatment first before seeking certification with us.
Governor Beshear recently added 15 clarified diagnoses that qualify patients for medical cannabis under the current program. Those expanded diagnoses that qualify are:
Any terminal illness
Sickle cell anemia
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease)
Parkinson's disease
HIV
AIDS
Huntington's disease
Muscular dystrophy
Cachexia or chronic wasting syndrome
Crohn's disease
Ulcerative colitis
Neuropathies
Severe arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Glaucoma
We get this question a lot, and the easiest way is to book directly through our website.
Why online?
Our physicians are full-time anesthesiologists whose schedules vary weekly based on their hospital responsibilities. This means we don’t have standard operating hours—some days appointments start at 9 AM, while other days they’re only available from 4–8 PM.
By booking online, you help us coordinate their hospital schedules while ensuring you get the personalized care you need at a time that works for you.
Head over to our Book Online section and select the appropriate appointment type and find a time that works for you!
We understand your concerns—there are scams out there targeting people seeking medical marijuana certifications. Here’s how you can be sure you’re working with legitimate medical professionals at Kentucky Medical Marijuana Center (KYMMC):
Licensed Physicians: All of our doctors are fully licensed by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure and the Office of Medical Cannabis. They are also active hospital physicians with extensive experience in patient care. You can use this link from the Office of Medical Cannabis to search for our physicians and to verify their credentials. Just search for Jefferson County and select Anesthesiology for the physician specialty to easily find our doctors.
In-Person Requirement: Kentucky law mandates that all first-time medical marijuana appointments must be conducted in person. Any service claiming you can be certified without an in-person visit is not legitimate.
Annual renewals can be done via telehealth, but the initial appointment must be in-person.
⚠️ Red Flags to Watch For:
Any provider promising certification without an in-person visit.
Services offering a certification without discussing your medical history or condition.
We understand that not everyone wants to pay immediately, but here’s why payment is required upfront:
Small Office, Busy Doctors: KYMMC is a small practice, and our doctors are full-time anesthesiologists at local hospitals. They only come to our office when appointments are scheduled, so their time is carefully managed.
No-Show Issues: When we first opened, we experienced a high number of no-shows, which took away valuable time from our doctors and patients who needed care that could have otherwise taken that appointment time. Requiring payment upfront ensures that appointments are honored and that we don't lose money on no-shows (which keeps costs low for you).
Commitment to Patients: This policy helps us keep our operations running smoothly so we can continue offering personalized, high-quality care.
If you don’t currently have the funds to book, we encourage you to reach out when you’re ready. We’re here to help when the timing is right.
To protect the practice and to continue offering affordable care, below is our official cancellation and rescheduling policy
Cancellations: Appointments canceled less than 72 hours (3 days) before the scheduled time will incur a $50 cancellation fee. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance or no-shows are non-refundable.
Rescheduling Fee: If you need to reschedule your appointment, we provide a one-time rescheduling free of charge. Subsequent reschedule requests will incur a $25 rescheduling fee. All rescheduled appointments must be made at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. This helps to offset the costs associated with holding time for you on our doctors’ calendars.
How We Keep Our Prices Low and Why We Have These Policies
At Kentucky Medical Marijuana Center (KYMMC), we’re deeply committed to keeping our services affordable so we can serve as many people as possible in our community. We operate with a lean model—just one office, with one doctor present at a time, and only when appointments are scheduled. Unlike a traditional healthcare clinic, our doctors come in specifically for your appointments, taking time away from their hospital schedules to support KYMMC’s mission.
We understand that life happens, and sometimes plans change so we will try our hardest to accommodate them. However, these changes impact our practice as a whole:
When an appointment is canceled, the doctor who held that time for you has already stepped away from their hospital work, which they cannot get back.
Our doctors choose to work with KYMMC because they believe in what we’re doing for the community, even though they earn much less here compared to working an extra shift at the hospital. But if scheduling issues persist, it becomes harder to keep them on board.
We still have operational costs—paying our doctors, maintaining the office, utilities, and fees associated with credit card transactions and refunds.
We hope you understand why our policies are necessary to keep KYMMC running smoothly and affordable for everyone. By honoring your scheduled appointment or rescheduling responsibly, you’re helping us continue to serve the community and respect the time of our dedicated team. Thank you for your support—we’re here for you and are grateful to be part of your journey.
Currently, Kentucky law does not mandate insurance companies to cover medical cannabis evaluations or treatments. As a result, we do not accept insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid for appointments; all services are self-pay.
Regarding future dispensary purchases, it's uncertain whether insurance will cover medical cannabis products. Coverage decisions will depend on individual insurance providers and forthcoming state and federal regulations.
We understand this situation can be challenging and are committed to providing transparent and accessible pricing to support you through the process. If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
To make your appointment as smooth as possible, please bring the following:
- Valid Photo ID: A government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license) to verify your identity and Kentucky residency.
- Medical Records (if available): Any documentation related to your qualifying condition, such as past diagnoses, prescriptions, or treatments. While not required, having this information can help our physicians better understand your needs and speed up your appointment.
Our physicians are highly qualified medical professionals with extensive experience in patient care. They are fully equipped to diagnose most qualifying conditions listed under Kentucky law. However, please note that we do not diagnose conditions like cancer or multiple sclerosis. For these, you’ll need to see a specialist before visiting us. That said, our doctors can diagnose and certify for conditions that arise as a result of cancer treatments, such as nausea or chronic pain.
We’re here to provide compassionate, expert care every step of the way. If you’re unsure what to bring, feel free to reach out before your appointment.
We understand that not everyone has internet access, and we want to make booking as easy as possible. If you’re having trouble, here’s what you can do:
Call Us: We can guide you through the booking process over the phone and assist with scheduling your appointment.
Local Library or Support: Libraries often have computers available for public use, and many local community centers can help with online access.
Please note: Payment is still due at the time of booking, even if you schedule your appointment over the phone. This ensures your spot is reserved and allows us to efficiently manage our doctors’ schedules.
We’re committed to working with you to get your appointment scheduled. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you need additional support.
Kentucky law requires that your first appointment be in person to establish a doctor-patient relationship. Our office, located on Frankfort Ave near the heart of St. Matthews, provides a comfortable and efficient experience, with typical appointments lasting about 20 minutes.
After your initial visit, all renewals can be conveniently completed through telehealth, making the process easier and saving you time. You are always welcome to come back to the office for follow-up visits as well.
Important Note: Beware of scams. If a provider offers telehealth for your first certification appointment, that’s a red flag that they are not operating legally, and your certification could be invalid. At KYMMC, we follow all Kentucky laws and regulations to ensure your safety and peace of mind. You’re in good hands with us.
We help you understand the current Kentucky medical cannabis process, review your qualifying condition, and guide you through the steps to move forward. If you need a renewal later, we can also help with that. Your first visit is in person, and renewals may be in person or via telehealth. We also offer technical support to fill out the subsequent online application through the state portal to complete your registration and get your card. Your card is a digital download as the standard option, but we also offer the option to have us print your card and laminate it for you.
No, the Kentucky Medical Marijuana Center (KYMMC) is not a dispensary. We specialize in evaluating patients and providing the necessary medical certification required to legally obtain medical cannabis in Kentucky. Once certified, you can purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries throughout the state. Visit kymedcan.ky.gov and navigate to their Find Dispensaries page.
We don’t have set office hours because our physicians are full-time anesthesiologists with schedules that vary week to week. To provide the best care possible, we operate by appointment only, dedicating focused time to each patient. For added convenience, you can book with us online to see when our physicians will be in the office, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience.
Why Online Booking?
Our physicians are full-time anesthesiologists whose schedules vary weekly based on their hospital responsibilities. This means we don’t have standard operating hours—some days appointments start at 9 AM, while other days they’re only available from 4–8 PM.
By booking online, you help us coordinate their hospital schedules while ensuring you get the personalized care you need at a time that works for you.
A typical appointment lasts about 20 minutes. This is enough time to:
Discuss what you’ve been going through with our physicians.
Address any questions or concerns you may have.
Receive your certification and next steps for your medical cannabis journey.
Stay Informed: After your appointment, you’ll be subscribed (if you are not already) to our monthly newsletter, designed specifically for our patients. It’s full of updates, resources, and tips to keep you informed about everything happening in the world of medical cannabis in Kentucky.
We strive to provide a supportive and efficient experience while ensuring you have all the information you need.
Navigating medical marijuana reciprocity can be complex, as each state has its own regulations regarding out-of-state medical cannabis cards. To assist patients in understanding where their Kentucky medical marijuana certification may be recognized, we’ve compiled the following resources that offer comprehensive and up-to-date information.
Please note: KYMMC is not affiliated with any of the sites listed below; they are a collection of resources we’ve found helpful:
Veriheal: Provides a detailed list of states with medical marijuana reciprocity laws, outlining where out-of-state patients can purchase cannabis. Veriheal
GreenState: Offers insights into states that accept out-of-state medical cannabis cards and discusses the benefits and limitations of medical marijuana reciprocity. GreenState
NuggMD: Explains which states accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards and details the processes for obtaining temporary in-state cards for visitors. NuggMD
Happy Valley: Provides information on medical cannabis reciprocity, including states that accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards and any specific requirements. Happy Valley
Americans for Safe Access: Offers a guide for medical cannabis patients traveling within the U.S., detailing state-by-state reciprocity and legal considerations. Safe Access Now
Please note that laws and regulations are subject to change. It's essential to verify the current status of medical marijuana reciprocity in the state you plan to visit before traveling.
What Is Medical Marijuana Reciprocity?
Medical marijuana reciprocity means some states accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards, allowing you to legally purchase or possess cannabis while visiting.
Think of it like this: It’s like a driver’s license being accepted in another state—but for medical marijuana cards!
KYMMC does not accept walk-ins due to the way our office and schedules are structured:
Doctors on Call: Our physicians are full-time hospital doctors and only come to the office when appointments are scheduled.
Efficient Scheduling: Walk-ins would disrupt the carefully planned time our doctors set aside for patients.