Medical marijuana dispensaries in Missouri must apply for and obtain licensure from the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS). The application fee is approximately $6,000, with annual fees ranging from $7,420 to $10,600. Under Missouri law, recreational consumers can legally possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis. Dispensaries within the state are required to comply with regulations set by the DHSS, including using a certified seed-to-sale system to track inventory and report to the state.
As of 2024, the DHSS is not accepting applications for new dispensaries but is allowing existing medical marijuana dispensaries to convert their licenses to “comprehensive” licenses, which enable them to serve both medical and adult-use customers. The complete set of rules and regulations governing medical marijuana and dispensaries is available on the DHSS website.
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CANNABIS LEGALIZATION HISTORY IN MISSOURI
Missouri has a relatively recent history with cannabis legalization. In 2018, the state passed a limited medical cannabis law, which allowed for the use of cannabis for certain medical conditions with a doctor’s recommendation. The law also created a regulatory framework for the cultivation, production, and sale of medical cannabis products.
Since the passage of the medical cannabis law, Missouri has faced challenges in implementing the program and regulating the industry. The state has struggled to issue licenses to cannabis businesses, leading to a slow rollout of legal sales. Additionally, there have been concerns about access and affordability for patients, as well as disparities in access between rural and urban areas.
Missouri’s recent legalization of recreational, adult-use marijuana has opened new opportunities for more people to buy from dispensaries. They were the 21st state to legalize recreational marijuana, and there are huge opportunities in this emerging market.
LAST UPDATED 9/4/2024 – It’s important to remember that laws can be revised and updated frequently, so please keep this in mind.