Incoming Lexington councilman recently awarded KY medical marijuana license

A newly elected Lexington-Fayette Urban County councilman also has a company that was recently awarded a license as a medical marijuana processor.

Hilary "Hil" Boone IV, a small-business operator and farmer, defeated Chad Walker, a farmer and a developer, on Tuesday in the 12th District council race.

Boone received 64% of the vote compared to Walker's 36%, according to unofficial results.

Boone will replace Lexington Councilwoman Kathy Plomin, who opted not to run for re-election. The 12th District is largely Fayette County's rural area and land outside of its growth boundary.

Boone and a partner own Limestone Processing LLC, one of 10 medical marijuana processors granted a license through a lottery on Oct. 29 , one week before Tuesday's election.

Two other Fayette County businesses —Goeing Blue LLC and NG Health LLC— received cultivator licenses. Cultivators grow marijuana.

The businesses were randomly picked by Kentucky Lottery staff.

The Oct. 29 processor and cultivator lottery was the first in a series of lotteries that will randomly distribute medical cannabis business licenses as Kentucky prepares to launch its program in January, when qualifying patients can apply to become cardholders.

A processor turns raw plant material into products that can then be sold at dispensaries.

Boone said because so much is in flux, Limestone Processing is still trying to determine how to move forward. It's possible Limestone could sell its processing license.

It's the only processing license in Fayette County. Limestone has a possible location.

"Nothing has really been finalized," Boone said. "There are quite a few unknowns."

Cultivators have little time to get raw product to processors before medical marijuana cards are issued in January, he said.

Limestone Processing will have to get a license through the city to operate. The city also enacted changes to its zoning ordinance to allow medical marijuana operations, including processors, in certain zones.

Boone, who is sworn-in in January, said he would recuse himself from any votes involving Limestone Processing.

"I would recuse myself just like with any other business," Boone said.

Susan Straub, a spokeswoman for the city, said licenses for medical marijuana operators are handled by city staff and do not need council approval.

"If, in the future, the council considers further regulating the type of business he has an interest in, it would likely be recommended that he recuse himself from that process (depending on the specifics)," Straub said.