Recreational marijuana market officially opens for business

Recreational marijuana has hit the Missouri market three days earlier than expected.

The Division of Cannabis Regulation within the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has approved 335 of the state’s licensed medical marijuana facilities to convert their license to a comprehensive license, meaning both adult-use recreational and medical customers can shop at dispensaries, according to a news release. The recreational launch date previously was expected to be Feb. 6.

Voters gave the green light to recreational marijuana legalization during the Nov. 8 election via Amendment 3, according to past reporting. The amendment changed the state constitution, legalizing the purchase, possession, consumption, delivery, sale and manufacturing of marijuana for adults 21 and older for personal use.

State officials estimate the retail sales tax for recreational weed products will generate annual revenue of at least $40.8 million, and an optional local sales tax could bring in at least $13.8 million for municipalities across the state.

Local dispensaries that have been approved for comprehensive licenses, according to the DHSS, include:
• 3Fifteen Primo, Branson West;
• Bloom Medicinals, Springfield;
• Blue Sage, Lebanon;
• Easy Mountain, Republic;
• Flora Farms, Springfield and Humansville;
• Good Day Farm, Springfield and Buffalo;
• Greenlight, Springfield and Branson;
• Hippos Marijuana Dispensary, Springfield;
• Mojo Dispensary, Nixa;
• Old Route 66 Wellness, Springfield and Ozark;
• Revival 98 Dispensary, Republic;
• Terrabis, Springfield;
• The Farmer's Wife, Springfield; and
• Thrive, Branson West.