After months of anticipation, Kentucky has issued its first medical marijuana cards to qualifying patients in the state, with Gov. Andy Beshear announcing the approval of more than 2,000 cards during a news conference Thursday.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear recently announced the first medical marijuana cardholders of the new program. Beshear said in his Team Kentucky update Thursday afternoon that Ryan Grell, medical director and owner of Kentucky Medical Marijuana Center,

The governor of Kentucky has personally awarded the state’s first medical marijuana patient cards—and he’s also calling on the Commonwealth’s congressional delegation to advance legislation protecting their constitutional right to own firearms.