About Us

American Grown. Family Owned.

Our cannabis story began in 2013 when we advocated for the legalization of hemp in Kentucky for our founder’s son, Colten, who was diagnosed with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy at age 3.

After the passing of SB50 and the Federal Farm Bill of 2014, Kentucky Cannabis Company was approved as one of the original 6 to legally cultivate hemp in Kentucky. We decided to focus our attention on the therapeutic aspects of non-intoxicating cannabis and grow high CBD American hemp varieties. This is our cannabis story, and we are proud of it.

We are passionate about the therapeutic properties of cannabis and are committed to researching and developing products that provide natural relief and healing. We believe in the power of plant medicine and in the potential of hemp to revolutionize the way we treat medical conditions. We are committed to advocating for the safe and responsible use of cannabis and are dedicated to educating the public about the many benefits of hemp-derived products. We are proud to be part of the Kentucky Cannabis story and are excited to be part of the future of cannabis-based medicine. Continue reading Colten’s seizure story.

8

Years in operation

2

Retail locations

55

Products

3

Brands

Company of Firsts

Founded in 2014 for family, by family, we have successfully continued to operate today as a vertically-integrated, family-owned business, focused on bettering the hemp industry so all consumers can purchase products they can trust.

We are a company of firsts. The first to plant hemp in the Kentucky soil since its prohibition. The first to cultivate for high CBD hemp the first to produce CBD products in the commonwealth, the first to open an exclusive CBD retail store, Bluegrass Hemp Oil, in Kentucky and United States.

We are passionate about our mission to provide the highest quality hemp products to our customers. We are committed to delivering the highest quality product possible, utilizing only the best practices in our farming and manufacturing processes. We have invested heavily in research and development to ensure our products are produced with the most advanced extraction and production techniques available. We are proud to be an industry leader in hemp production and are constantly striving to improve our products and processes. We are dedicated to being a trusted source for consumers looking for high quality, reliable hemp products.

Bill Polyniak and Kentucky Cannabis Company: Trailblazers in Hemp and CBD

Introduction

The Kentucky hemp cultivation and CBD production landscape saw a significant shift after SB 50’s enactment in 2013. A key figure in this evolution was Bill Polyniak, CEO of Kentucky Cannabis Company. His venture into this industry began as a personal quest to find effective epilepsy treatments for his son, leading to a pioneering role in Kentucky’s hemp narrative.

Early Beginnings

Bill’s foray into hemp cultivation was fueled by the need for reliable CBD products for his son’s idiopathic generalized epilepsy. During this time, available CBD was often either contaminated or of foreign origin. After the legalization of hemp under state-sponsored programs, Bill was among the first in Kentucky to explore the possibilities of high-CBD hemp, a departure from the industry’s focus on fiber hemp.

The Founding of the Kentucky Cannabis Company

In March 2014, Bill, alongside David Hendrick, began cultivating high CBD hemp, marking the birth of the Kentucky Cannabis Company. These plants were transferred to Eastern Kentucky where they were first planted. This initiative was pioneering, particularly at a time when other hemp growers were dependent on imported seeds. Overcoming seed scarcity, Bill and Hendrick managed to transition their first plants to outdoor cultivation successfully by mid-2014.

Dave Hendrick and Bill Polyniak planting the first CBD hemp in Kentucky, marking a significant moment in the state’s hemp history

The Growth Phase

The inaugural harvest of CBD hemp plants in October 2014 signified not just the fruition of their hard work but also the dawn of a new era in Kentucky’s hemp industry. This led to the establishment of the Bluegrass Hemp Oil website to retail their flagship oil. The growing local demand for high-quality CBD products led Bill to expand operations, culminating in the opening of the first Bluegrass Hemp Oil store off East Reynolds Rd in Lexington. Today the Bluegrass Hemp Oil store is located up the street in Lexington Green with a drive-up window.

Responding to Industry Dynamics

The period from 2017 to 2019 saw a boom in the CBD industry, with the Kentucky Cannabis Company playing a significant role. However, this growth phase brought challenges, including the influx of external companies and their isolated CBD products. These developments were at odds with Bill’s commitment to full-spectrum, whole-plant products.

Advocacy and Product Diversification

In 2019, the company advocated for “Shauna’s Law” to allow state employees to use full-spectrum CBD products. This effort was inspired by Shauna, an EMT who lost her job due to CBD usage. Despite the bill’s failure, the company continued to support unrestricted access to full-spectrum CBD.

In June 2019, Kentucky Cannabis Company launched Batch Full Spectrum CBD oil, diversifying its product range with hemp known for its quality cannabinoid and terpenoid profiles.

Achievements and Expansion

The company’s dedication to quality was recognized in August 2019 with Bluegrass Hemp Oil winning Best CBD Company & Best CBD Product awards. Subsequently, the Unruffled infused CBD products line was introduced. In October 2019, the company consolidated its operations to its now Growing, extraction, manufacturing, and retail sales location in Midway, KY. See on Google Maps maps here. More accolades followed, with Unruffled Pet Oil winning a Silver High Times Hemp Cup People’s Choice Award in May 2021 and Bluegrass Hemp Oil again winning Best CBD Company and Best CBD Product in August 2021.

Iconic Kentucky Cannabis Company building in downtown Midway, Kentucky

Conclusion

Bill Polyniak’s journey with Kentucky Cannabis Company stands as a testament to innovation, advocacy, and a commitment to quality. From its origins in seeking epilepsy treatment to adapting to a fast-growing market, the company has established itself as a standard-bearer in hemp cultivation and CBD production. Their ongoing efforts in product development, advocacy, and market leadership solidify their position as industry pioneers and trusted providers of effective, high-quality CBD products

Our Story

Over the Years

2/2009

1 SEIZURE TO 100’s

Polyniaks’ son was diagnosed with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy. With hundreds of seizures and a harmful game of pharmaceutical roulette, they began looking for safer alternatives.

2012

ADVOCACY

After discovering the benefits of CBD for epilepsy, the founders began advocating for hemp’s legalization in Kentucky.

2013

SB 50 PASSES

Senate Bill 50 passes in Kentucky – creating a pilot program for hemp research and cultivation.

2/2014

FEDERAL FARM BILL PASSES

Federal Farm Bill of 2014 legalizes hemp for production with Polyniak as the only individual awarded a pilot program for CBD research & production.

2/2014

KCC WAS BORN

Kentucky Cannabis Company was founded.

3/2014

FIRST HEMP PLANTS IN KY

KCC brought the first hemp plants to KY since its prohibition. While other companies were waiting for foreign seed to be released by the DEA, we had plants in hand.