Missouri Releases Adult-Use Cannabis Draft Rules While Officials Set Timeline

Missouri officials have released draft rules for the state’s upcoming adult-use cannabis industry, less than a week after voters approved the reforms. The publishing of the draft rules is the first step to rolling out the industry, which Department of Health and Senior Services spokeswoman Lisa Cox said could happen before February, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.  

Under the voter-backed measure, the state is required to take action within 60 days, making February 6 the date the state must approve conversion applications from current medical cannabis operators submitted on December 8. 

Cox told the Post-Dispatch that officials expect to convert licenses “before the 60-day deadline, as soon as we have rules for comprehensive facilities filed.” 

“We anticipate comprehensive dispensaries will be able to begin selling to adult use consumers as soon as their license is approved for conversion.” — Cox to the Post-Dispatch 

Jack Cardetti, spokesperson for the Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association, told the Post-Dispatch that the timeline “likely means that Missouri will have one of the quickest and smoothest transitions to adult-use sales in the nation.” 

Cox also indicated that the state will start accepting applications for adult personal cultivation “during or before the first week of January,” and microbusiness licenses “during or before the first week of September 2023.”  

Voters approved the reforms by a 53%-to-47% margin. The state is accepting public comments on the draft rules until November 25.