Missouri Proposes Changing Cannabis Facilities Rules

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Division of Cannabis Regulation is proposing changes to the state’s Facility Ownership and Employment and the Facilities Generally sections of the state’s cannabis law. The changes would clarify ownership requirements for medical and comprehensive cannabis facilities, including the impact of rule violations on facility ownership and employment, the agency said in a press release.    

DHSS said the proposed amendment to the cannabis law would improve cannabis licensee operations by:  

• removing a requirement for preapproval when a licensee changes its ownership by 50%;  
• establishing a framework for approval of publicly traded companies’ ownership in cannabis licenses; 
• establishing a framework for transferring microbusiness licenses to eligible family members;  
• clarifying recall procedures for cannabis product that cannot be properly traced back to cannabis grown in a licensed Missouri cannabis facility; and  
• addressing how individuals’ prior violations of rules may affect their participation in the regulated cannabis industry.

Public comments on the proposal will be accepted from November 2 to December 2. The agency expects to file a final version of the proposed rule change next year.