The rules, regulations, and forms for Missouri’s Cannabis Microbusiness Program have been finalized. The Division of Cannabis Regulation will be accepting applicant submissions starting July 27, 2023 and ending August 10, 2023.
Forty-eight licenses, spread out over Missouri’s eight congressional districts, will be awarded by lottery in October 2023. Next year an additional 48 licenses will be awarded in 2024, and by 2025 the third wave of licenses will be dispersed for a total of 144 licenses in Missouri.
Applicants who are interested in applying for a license can start the process by evaluating their eligibility requirements here, reviewing the Division of Cannabis Regulation’s (DCR) Guidance for Applicants web page, and downloading a sample PDF application form here.
- Program Overview
https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/guidance-applicants-micro.php - Eligibility requirements
https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/eligibility-micro.php - PDF Application form (sample)
https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/mb-application-instructions.pdf
The Cannabis Microbusiness program is part of the social equity component put in place by NORML to help marginalized or under-represented individuals affected by the “War on Drugs” participate in the legal marijuana market.
NORML’s main social equity component written into Amendment 3 is the provision providing expungement of past non-violent felony and misdemeanor cannabis infractions. Voters overwhelmingly approved A3 in the November 2022 election.
Missouri NORML and the NORML chapters across the state are co-sponsoring a series of FREE informational seminars designed to help applicants become familiar with the Microbusiness Program.
Missouri Cannabis Microbusiness Info Tour – St Louis, MO
A free educational and informational event geared to those who plan to apply and/or participate in Missouri’s cannabis microbusiness program.
Topic: Cannabis Microbusiness Information Seminar
Date: Thursday, July 6, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Doors open at 5:30 pm)
Location: Robert G. Reim Theater 111 South Geyer Road Kirkwood, MO 63122
Registration: Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/647338556047
Cost: FREE to attend, pre-registration required.
Join a panel of industry and cannabis business experts in an informative seminar devoted exclusively to helping you get a Cannabis Microbusiness License.
FREE Registration With Eventbrite
St. Louis Event Registration
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/647338556047
Our expert panelist lineup includes:
John Payne, Principal, Amendment 2 Consultants, Legal Missouri 2022 Campaign Manager: Overview of microbusiness licenses and the application process.
John Bowman: Discussion of the importance of building equity in the cannabis industry for communities and individuals harmed by cannabis prohibition and how the new licenses contribute to that process.
Denise McCracken, Founder, Attorney at Law, D.B. McCracken Law, LLC, Author: Legal considerations for prospective applicants, both during the application phase and in operating a licensed cannabis facility.
Melanie Randels: Operational considerations from the point of view of a current industry employee and an entrepreneur who is applying for a microbusiness license.
Agenda
5:30: Doors open
6:00: Panel discussion begins
6:45: Questions for panel from the moderator/other panelists
7:00: Q&A from audience
8:00: Adjourn
We plan to have each panelist cover a specific subject for about 8-10 minutes each at the outset. Participants are encouraged to bring questions. There will be plenty of time to get all the information you’ll need for understanding and succeeding with your application.
The Missouri Cannabis Microbusiness Information Tour will travel to these additional cities across Missouri:
Springfield, MO
Wed, Jun 28, 6:00 PM
Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library • Springfield, MO
Free
Kansas City, MO
Thu, Jun 29, 6:00 PM
Kansas City Public Library: Plaza Branch, Kansas City, MO
Free
Columbia, MO
Wed, Jul 5, 6:00 PM
1701 W Ash St., Columbia, MO
Free