Missouri dispensaries may begin adult use sales sooner than expected

While the anticipated date for adult use marijuana sales has been February 6, some facilities may be able to begin recreational marijuana sales sooner, while others could fall behind.

In an effort to ensure that the constitutional deadlines for approval of license conversions are met, on Friday, February 3, the Division of Cannabis Regulation will begin processing applications for comprehensive facility applicants.

“97% of the state’s medical marijuana dispensaries have requested to convert their medical license to a comprehensive license,” said Lisa Cox, Communications Director for Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Per Amendment 3, the Department is required to approve or deny requests by medical marijuana facilities to convert to a comprehensive facility type, licensed for both medical and adult use, within 60 days of the application.

“Approximately 90% of those dispensary facilities who have submitted the request did so on Dec. 8, 2022, the first day they were able to submit such request,” Cox confirmed.

   

Upon approval of a dispensary’s conversion application, a facility will be authorized to begin adult use sales, according to the Department.

“Each licensee is responsible for knowing and understanding the rules that apply to their facility,” Cox said. “After conversion, sales to adult-use consumers (age 21 and up) may begin as soon as comprehensive dispensary facilities are ready to commence operating under their new authority.”

For the remainder of licensees who fall outside the box of February 6 approval, or the few of those who have yet to apply, that means the potential of missing out on the first wave of sales and traffic, with only the mandated 60-day time frame as a guarantee for approval or denial.