Construction underway for Republic dispensary

A Republic medical marijuana dispensary is under construction, with a goal of opening to patients by year's end.

Easy Mountain Investments LLC, dba Easy Mountain Cannabis Co., is developing the dispensary at 7827 W. Farm Road 174 in Republic. Alex Paulson, co-owner with Drew Beine, said the dispensary's expected grand opening would be early or mid-December. He said the facility initially would employ 10-15 people.

"We are partnering with several cultivators and manufacturers across Missouri to ensure Easy Mountain will have one of the largest selections in southwest Missouri of the highest quality medicine," said Paulson, declining to name the cultivation companies.

Paulson said general contractor H.C. Rogers Construction Group LLC broke ground on the more than 2,500-square-foot dispensary July 20. Construction is slated to wrap up by late November or early December on the formerly vacant land, he said, noting Arkifex Studios LLC is the project architect. He declined to disclose the construction cost for the project located near Oak Court Luxury Apartments.

Easy Mountain was among dispensary applicants approved to operate by the state in January.

Other local companies, including Old Route 66 Wellness LLC and Ozarx Botanicals I LLC, are in various stages of development as the coronavirus pandemic delayed the rollout of medical marijuana in Missouri, Springfield Business Journal previously reported.

Missouri voters legalized medical marijuana in the November 2018 election.