A trio of research firms who contend Missouri is a poster child for success in the cannabis industry hope to win a contract to study the state's market closer.
"As it relates to cannabis markets, Missouri is pretty famously the model to follow," said Mackenzie Slade, CEO and owner of New York-based Cannabis Public Policy Consulting. "So I'm very interested in doing a super deep dive."
In March, the state issued a request for proposals looking for a vendor to conduct a cannabis market and economic impact study. Currently, Missouri has issued nearly 400 cannabis licenses to operate full-scale cultivation and manufacturing facilities and dispensaries. The state will also eventually have 144 microbusiness licenses, which are limited in size and scope and meant to benefit disadvantaged business owners.
In 2024, Missouri sold $1.46 billion in total marijuana sales in the state's second year of adult-use marijuana, outperforming states with a longer history of marijuana legalization like Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.
Read more at The Missouri Independent