Nearly Nine Hundred Applicants Race For Missouri Microbusiness Licenses

Final Lottery Draws Near

The Missouri Lottery is scheduled to draw applicants on September 9 for the state’s final round of marijuana microbusiness licenses.

This is the third and final lottery for microbusinesses in the state. The state will issue at least 29 wholesale and at least 34 dispensary licenses. This action meets the constitutional requirement of 144 total micro licenses established in 2022.

The program was designed to expand opportunities for marginalized or under-represented individuals. It allows these groups to participate in the state’s regulated marijuana industry. The initiative was established through the 2022 constitutional amendment approved by voters.

Regulatory Changes Impact New Owners

New applicants will enter a system reshaped by two years of growing pains. Dozens of license revocations have occurred since the program began. These changes stem from unconstitutional ownership deals identified by regulators.

Lesley Turek is the division’s chief equity officer who oversees the microbusiness program. She stressed that winners should develop a relationship with their compliance officers. This is necessary to understand the new rules put in place in May.

The new rules provide a deeper explanation of what it means to majority own and operate a license. This was a specific requirement in the 2022 constitutional amendment. Regulators can now complete an extensive review of potential ownership arrangements before licenses are issued.

Community Support and Compliance

As of August 18, there are 21 operational microbusiness licenses in Missouri. This total includes five dispensaries and 16 wholesale operations. Jimi Poe, owner of 816 Dispensary in Platte City, was among the first licensees selected in 2023.

Poe opened Missouri’s first operating microbusiness dispensary after a long journey. He noted that round three people are not going to have to go through that same struggle. He emphasized that new owners should build relationships right away to learn and grow their businesses.

Turek stated that the microbusiness program really is a community. She highlighted this as one of the great benefits of the initiative. Applicants must also take a course on compliance before applying and after receiving the license.

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