Missouri dispensaries prepare to start recreational marijuana sales on Friday
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV) - Dispensaries across the St. Louis region are gearing up for what likely could be a very busy weekend for the first ever sales of recreational, adult-use cannabis in the state.
According to the Missouri Department of Health, the Division of Cannabis Regulation will begin approving licenses on Friday Feb. 3.
“It’s our anticipation this process will go smoothly and quickly,” wrote DHSS about the process to make their way through the 174 applications on Friday. “Our system will not allow for a blanket approval approach, but the team assigned will be working quickly and diligently until all licenses to be approved are approved.”
Nearly all of Missouri’s medical dispensaries requested to convert their license to comprehensive license which will allow for the sale of adult-use as well as medical.
A spokesperson for DHSS says once a license is approved, a dispensary can immediately begin adult-use sales as long as they are compliant with state guidelines and rules. Originally many dispensaries thought they would begin sales on February 6, but with new information, many are gearing up for those first sales to take place sometime on Friday.
“We’re prepared to deal with those lines, we’re staffed up, but we ask everyone to bear with us, it’s an exciting day for Missouri and it’s going to be a fun day,” said Drew Lammert, co-founder of Kind Goods.
At their St. Peters dispensary they are ready to welcome customers the moment the state gives them the go-ahead.
In the Delmar Loop at Swade Cannabis, they are setting up for what could be a very busy day welcoming the first legal recreational sales. But CEO of BeLeaf Medical says they want medical patients to know they will still be able to get what they need.
“For us, medical patients have a bit of a premier customer experience. They can place an online order, come to the expedited part of the line, pick up their products more quickly and enjoy pricing discounts,” said Jason Nelson with BeLeaf Medical.
Adult-use consumers must be 21 years or older and have a valid government issued ID. Without a medical card, customers can purchase up to three ounces at a time and can be in possession of up to three ounces. Adult use purchases are taxed at 6% in addition to local taxes. Medical marijuana card holders are allowed six ounces, taxed at 4%.
Accoridng to DHSS,
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