Show-Me the Facts: A Timeline and Overview of the Missouri Cannabis Market
By: Macey Wolfer, Public Relations Specialist, Proven Media
As the Jage Media team prepares to head to the Show-Me state for the next MJ Unpacked trade event, it’s a good time to take a look at the Missouri cannabis market as a whole. Adult-use cannabis in Missouri is relatively new, having only been voted ‘yes’ on by Missourians in 2022. Before we dive into the future of the state’s cannabis industry, let’s first see how we got here.
2014: Missouri Cannabis Decriminalization
It’s been more than 10 years since Missouri enacted Senate Bill 491 and seven years since it went into effect. The bill reduced penalties for some cannabis offenses and eliminated jail time for first-time offenders possessing up to 10 grams of cannabis. Penalties for the sale and cultivation of cannabis were also reduced, along with the elimination of the ban on probation or parole for third-time drug felony offenses. Missouri was considered to have only partially decriminalized cannabis since the possession of small amounts of cannabis were still treated as a misdemeanor.
Several municipal level reforms took place over the years, as well. For example, Columbia passed its own cannabis decriminalization measure in 2004.
2014 & 2018: CBD and Medical Cannabis Legalization
Before making the leap to legalize medical cannabis, Missouri signed House Bill 2238 into effect, which legalized the use of CBD oil for certain seizure conditions. The bill required neurologists to determine eligibility based on a lack of response to at least three other treatment options. In 2015, Missouri licensed two non-profits to grow cannabis to produce this specific oil.
By 2018, residents had approved a ballot measure with 66% of voters agreeing to legalize medical cannabis use. The first medical cannabis sales took place two years later in October of 2020.
2022: Recreational cannabis in Missouri
In August of 2022, Missouri’s Secretary of State announced that an initiative to legalize adult-use cannabis in Missouri would be on the November ballot. The initiative included personal home cultivation for those who register and pay a $100/year fee and sales at licensed cannabis dispensaries, among other rules. The measure also indicated that tax revenue would go to expunge non-violent cannabis offenses, provide healthcare for veterans, provide substance abuse treatment, and more.
That year, Missouri voters approved Amendment 3 by a 53-47 margin, effectively legalizing adult-use cannabis in the Show-Me state. The first official sale took place in February of 2023.
A Promising Market
In its short existence, the Missouri cannabis market has proven to be a strong one with lots of growth potential. In July of 2024, the state surpassed Colorado by $30 million in sales. In that same month, Green Market Report shared that Missouri was the fifth-highest state for cannabis product sales.
Of course, the Missouri cannabis market comes with its own set of challenges, including recent certification denials for social equity applicants and numerous cannabis product recalls. Some of these challenges will be addressed at the MJ Unpacked Missouri event, including the “What’s on Your Shelf & Is it Safe for Consumers?” panel.
Interested in being a part of these crucial conversations? Register to attend MJ Unpacked on November 5-7 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel.