Recreational marijuana sales in Missouri are now just a little over a month away.
For small business owners like J.C. Cirese, whose business, Doctor Smoke on Broadway, sells legal marijuana derivatives, the wait will be at least a year.
“I think it’s unfortunate for those smaller businesses who are, you know, trying to get into the industry and realizing that there is a big corporate stranglehold on the industry,” Cirese said.
Owners of small businesses are applying for a lottery to get chosen for a license.
However, the state’s nearly 200 medical marijuana dispensaries have the inside track on recreational sales.
Missouri Cannabis Trade Association Spokesman Jack Cardetti said all of them have applied for and should get the comprehensive license to sell recreational marijuana beginning Feb. 6.
On Monday morning, Maxwell Huerter went to From the Earth, a dispensary on Troost Avenue, hoping to buy some recreational marijuana.
He was told he’ll have to wait another month.
“It’s just like a once-in-a-while thing. But I heard about the law. I thought I just keep a stash, so I don’t have to keep asking my friends,” Huerter said.
With a successful lottery application, Cirese hopes to sell recreational marijuana as soon as possible.
But he also understands the dispensaries will likely have at least a year’s head start on him.
“Hopefully Missouri is as fair and allows, you know, underprivileged people and people of color, small businesses to participate because that’s very valuable to this industry, to all industries, to have a good, competitive, free market,” Cirese said.
Adults 21 and older will legally be able to buy recreational marijuana when sales do get underway. Adults of the same age can already possess three ounces or less of the drug.
READ THE FULL STORY:Medical marijuana dispensaries in Missouri still have the inside track on recreational sales
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