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Missouri is closed to new comprehensive dispensary licenses, so the way in is acquiring an existing license
CannDev in Missouri
Entering Missouri
ClosedRetail is closed to new comprehensive dispensary applicants: the Department is not accepting new comprehensive or medical license applications, and microbusiness dispensary licenses are awarded by lottery. Adult-use and medical. Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution makes marijuana legal for adults 21 and over and sets up a licensed, taxed market. Comprehensive licenses, converted from medical licenses, sell to both patients and adult consumers. The Department of Health and Senior Services' Division of Cannabis Regulation runs the program.2, 3, 1
- License types and caps
- Retail: comprehensive dispensary licenses and microbusiness dispensary licenses; microbusiness dispensaries may buy only from microbusiness wholesalers. Other license types: comprehensive cultivation and infused-products manufacturing licenses, microbusiness wholesale licenses (wholesale may grow up to 250 flowering plants), plus Department certifications for testing facilities and for transportation.1, 2
- Application window
- Closed for comprehensive and medical licenses; the Department will announce any new application period at least six months ahead. Microbusiness licenses are awarded by lottery, and round 3 lottery results have been released.2, 3
- Local opt-out
- Yes, by public vote. A city or county can ban adult-use dispensaries through a ballot question, and the ban needs at least 60 percent of the vote; a ban can later be repealed by ordinance or by a majority vote. Otherwise local governments may not make marijuana businesses unduly burdensome, but may set time, place and manner rules.1
Ownership and social equity, taxes, delivery and testing, upcoming changes and the numbered sources are in the Missouri rules panels on this page.
Missouri is an exciting cannabis market. In 2023 the state produced about $1.4 billion in retail sales. This means it has the highest sales per capita in the USA at about $225 per person residing in the state.
Four other U.S. states began adult use sales at some point during 2023, with Missouri sales significantly surpassing the other three, which include: Maryland, New York and Connecticut.
Retail outlets near bordering Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma are seeing steady growth. Stores are also seeing customers travel from Illinois, where adult-use marijuana has been available since January 2020 but is also taxed more heavily,
Top cities for cannabis retail:
- St. Louis
- Kansas City
- Springfield
- Joplin – Border city
- St. Josephs – Border city
- Columbia
- Saint Peters – Border city
CannDev is actively securing locations in Missouri and plans to provide the required real estate documentation to make life easier for applicants.
If you’re interested in opening a retail store in Missouri and would like to gain access to our Off Market Deals please sign up here.
Latest Missouri News
Latest regulatory update
The Missouri cannabis ownership verdict hits $10M, DHSS floats new rules, and a state study finds dispensaries capture 93% of spending.
Regulatory Detail
An owner is anyone with 10 percent or more of a business. Microbusiness licenses must be majority owned by people who meet the Constitution's criteria (for example, net worth under $250,000 with low income, or a service-connected disability), an owner may hold only one microbusiness and may not also own another marijuana license. Anyone with a disqualifying felony is barred from the license lotteries.1, 3
A 6 percent state tax on the retail price of adult-use marijuana, and cities and counties may add a local sales tax of up to 3 percent on adult-use sales.1
- Delivery: comprehensive and microbusiness dispensaries may deliver to any address the consumer, qualifying patient or primary caregiver directs.
- Testing: a representative sample of marijuana must be tested by a licensed testing facility.
- Packaging: packaging and labels may not appear attractive to children, and products must be sold in resealable, child-resistant packaging with warning labels.
- In effect: Emergency amendment to rule 19 CSR 100-1.070 took effect.4
- Proposed: Proposed amendment to rule 19 CSR 100-1.180 would set requirements for curbside pickup by consumers, patients and caregivers.5
- Proposed: Proposed amendments to the microbusiness and facility application rules (19 CSR 100-1.190 and 1.060) tighten application, ownership and operation requirements for microbusinesses.5
- Missouri Constitution Article XIV, Section 2 (marijuana legalization, regulation and taxation) (statute, seen 26 October 2026)
- Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, Adult use FAQs (regulator, seen 26 October 2026)
- Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, Microbusiness information (regulator, seen 26 October 2026)
- Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, Cannabis rules and law (regulator, seen 26 October 2026)
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Proposed rules (regulator, seen 26 October 2026)
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