MoCannTrade And The Missouri Cannabis Industry Celebrate Another Historic Year

MoCannTrade Board of Directors, Advisory Board and Staff June 2024

Greetings MoCannTrade members and Missouri cannabis industry participants,

As we look back and reflect on another year of safely and successfully serving the needs of patients and consumers in our legal cannabis industry, we’re constantly reminded just how far we’ve come as an industry and association here in Missouri. It wasn’t but 7 short years ago, momentum was building in early 2018 around 3 possible initiative petition efforts to put medical cannabis legalization on the ballot in Missouri. At that same time, a small group of cannabis industry advocates came together to begin forming what would become MoCannTrade (Missouri Cannabis Trade Association). 

By the time legalization was passed in November 2018, MoCann had a board of 11 directors, a couple dozen members, and we quickly started planning our early meetup events and MoCannBizCon, a Missouri focused cannabis conference that attracted more than 2,300 attendees. 

Since that time, we've certainly had our fair share of challenges, but we are so proud of our ability to work together to overcome these challenges. We all know this is one of the hardest industries to work in, bar none, but our love for this business, our passion for the plant, the products we produce, and the people who benefit from them keeps us all pushing forward together.

We said this last year, but it’s worth saying again, from Melissa, myself and MoCann leadership, it’s so gratifying to talk with peers from across the US as they compliment us on our success in Missouri. Specifically, we appreciate the closeness of our industry, our willingness to collaborate and help each other for the greater good of our state, even if at times we are competing against one another. For many other state-based medical or adult use programs, this is just unheard of. 

I really love this quote taken from a Columbia Missourians article just today about the uniqueness of the Missouri market:

“You have a major trade association that actually really supports the industry in Missouri. It's the best I've seen in the country,” Parfitt said of the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association. “They provide an outlet for operators to work together, meet each other and share best practices.” ~ Laurie Parfitt, CEO of LKP Impact Consulting

On behalf of our esteemed board of directors, our advisory board, industry and PAC committees, lobbyists, PR team and staff: thank you so much and congratulations on making 2024 another historic year of achievement for our Missouri cannabis industry.

As we close out our sixth year as The Voice of Trade, we thought we’d take a moment to highlight some of our historic successes, achievements and accolades our Missouri cannabis industry experienced this past year with an eye for what's to come in 2025.

--- Andrew Mullins - Executive Director 

--- Melissa Khan - Associate Director

--- Dena Ladd - Board Chair

10.) MJ Unpacked Showcases Missouri To The US Cannabis Industry 

10.) MJ Unpacked Showcases Missouri To The US Cannabis Industry

In November, MJ Unpacked chose to host their semi-annual conference in Missouri, in part because of the ongoing success of the Missouri cannabis program and its business owners. More than 1000 attendees from across the US were able to see and hear firsthand how Missouri has managed to upstage other, longstanding state programs.

A number of MoCannTrade members and industry leaders served as panelists for the conference and were able to share their experience with attendees from across the country. Missouri was proud to serve as hosts to support this more focused conference and its theme of sparking expansion and addressing the needs of our industry at this event specifically curated for licensed operators, scientists, and investors.  

9.) Missouri Cannabis Industry Now Employs 21,000 Missourians; More Colleges Adding Cannabis Curriculums

9.) Missouri Cannabis Industry Now Employs 21,000 Missourians; More Colleges Adding Cannabis Curriculums

The more than 480 small business that make up the Missouri industry now directly employ 21,000 Missourians. This significant job creation has led numerous colleges to add industry education to their curriculums, including Saint Louis University, Northwest Missouri State University, Metro Community College KC, Midwest Cannabis Institute Technical School STL, St. Louis Community College, Truman State University, Southeast Missouri State University, University of Central Missouri, and Mineral Area College.

MoCannTrade members have both taught and guest lectured at many of these institutions of higher education and we're proud to see our industry further normalized in these learning and training enviroments.  

8.) MoCannTrade Files Official Comments in Support of Federal Rescheduling To S3 

8.) MoCannTrade Files Official Comments in Support of Federal Rescheduling To S3 

In official comments to the DEA on the proposed federal rescheduling rule, MoCannTrade made the argument that this significant policy change would benefit our members and customers in three specific ways.

First, it allows for greater research of the cannabis plant.

Secondly, we support rescheduling because it treats cannabis small businesses like every other small business in our state by removing the punitive 280E tax code.

Lastly, MoCannTrade supports rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III because it finally recognizes cannabis as medicine, which Missourians overwhelmingly proclaimed at the polls as far back as 2018.

MoCannTrade leadership and members visited our federal lawmakers on Capitol Hill multiple times in 2024 to educate our Missouri congressional delegation on this and other needed policy changes. 

7.) DCR Issues First Two Rounds of Microbusiness Licenses, MoCann Embraces These New Businesses

7.) DCR Issues First Two Rounds of Microbusiness Licenses, MoCann Embraces These New Businesses

In 2024, Missouri awarded the first two waves of microbusiness licenses. Currently at least two of the awarded grow processors have begun operating with more in process to get ATO. We would anticipate that microbusiness retail sales could begin as early as second quarter of 2025. 

MoCann fully embraced these new microbusinesses in the past year working to ensure micro members could access and learn from the existing industry in preparation for their efforts to get operational.  This included micro focused panels at our Q2 and Q4 meetup events along with a micro focused exhibitor area at Q4 in Springfield. We are definitely excited to celebrate the historic, first micro cannabis sale in Missouri in 2025.  

6.) Missouri Bucks National Trend with Medical Patient Cards Increasing

6.) Missouri Bucks National Trend with Medical Patient Cards Increasing

While most states see a steady decline of medical marijuana patient cards after approving adult use sales, Missouri has bucked that trend. Late in 2024, Missouri saw its patient count actually increase steadily each month to nearly 120,000, up from its low point post-adult use of 106,627.

With the renewal term moving to three years and many Missourians enjoying the benefits of having their medical card (employment protections, lower taxes, expedited access, and lower pricing at dispos) its no surprise these Missourians continue to find value in being a certifed medical cannabis patient.  Stories in the media have also highlighted how some of the increase can be attributed to customers in surrounding states getting their Missouri medical card.

5.) Zero Cities, Counties Ban Adult Use Cannabis Sales In Missouri 

5.) Zero Cities, Counties Ban Adult Use Cannabis Sales In Missouri 

To this day, 57% of the cities and counties in California and 60% of counties in Colorado don’t allow adult use dispensaries. In November, the constitution allowed any Missouri city or county to prohibit these as well through a vote of the people.

Out of the entire state, we believe only two municipalities and one county attempted to do so, with voters opposing the bans in all 3 cases. One town in conservative Southwest Missouri was even set to try to ban them, until they took in so much tax revenue that they repealed the ban attempt. This is obviously a huge success when it comes to Missourians having safe and convenient access to regulated cannabis in their communities.

4.)  Growing Coalition of Elected Officials, Law Enforcement and Healthcare Leaders Take Action to Curb Dangers of Unregulated Cannabis Products

4.)  Growing Coalition of Elected Officials, Law Enforcement and Healthcare Leaders Take Action to Curb Dangers of Unregulated Cannabis Products

Throughout 2024 a number of groups, organizations and elected officials stepped forward and decried the sale of unregulated, untested, unsafe cannabis products, such as Delta-8 THC. From Gov. Parson to law enforcement to health and safety leaders to Attorney General Bailey to medical organizations and child advocates, all now recognize these intoxicating, unregulated products present on ongoing threat to the health and public safety of Missourians.

While several in the Executive Branch have pushed initiatives to slow the sale of these products administratively, ultimately legislation is needed and the coalition of voices expressing concern are looking to our Missouri legislature to address this public safety issue.  

Last month, the Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act (ICCA), was introduced as SB 54 and HB 593 for the 2025 legislative session. The ICCA simply clarifies that if it comes from a cannabis plant and is intoxicating, it’s marijuana and Missouri law should treat it as such. The ICCA is the seamless, inexpensive way to integrate intoxicating cannabinoid products into Missouri's existing regulatory framework for marijuana, not an expensive, duplicative / parallel system of regulation. 

3.) Missouri's $1.4 Billion Industry Surpasses Colorado, Arizona and Other States with Older Programs or Larger Populations

3.) Missouri's $1.4 Billion Industry Surpasses Colorado, Arizona and Other States with Older Programs or Larger Populations

In 2024, the Missouri cannabis industry surpassed Colorado in sales for the first time. The Show-Me-State currently has the fifth most cannabis sales of all adult use states, also besting Arizona, Washington, Maryland, New York and Oregon. 

While the final numbers aren't yet in for December 2024 sales, the state posted its highest sales month ever in November or its 21st month of adult use which shows Missouri is not slowing and continues to grow nearly 2 years into AU.

Missouri has also bested early predictions of less than a billion in sales by nearly a half a billion dollars. We continue to be the "Show Me state" where it counts in sales, job creation, tax generation, access, expungements and home grown businesses and brands.  Here we grow into 2025.  

2.) Courts Rule in Favor of Customers and Cannabis Industry Against Double Stacking of Marijuana Taxes by Counties

2.) Courts Rule in Favor of Customers and Cannabis Industry Against Double Stacking of Marijuana Taxes by Counties

In November, Missouri’s Eastern District Court of Appeals ruled that Missouri counties are prohibited from stacking an extra 3% sales tax on the sale of adult use marijuana in incorporated areas. The lawsuit to stop this unconstitutional tax was brought by the industry and Robust Missouri/Feel State Dispensary only days after counties began stacking this tax.

While this most recent ruling is subject to appeal, if ultimately successful, it could save Missouri adult use customers approximately $3 million monthly. 

1.) MO Generates $241 Million in Sales Tax Revenue, Tripling Original Estimate 

1.) MO Generates $241 Million in Sales Tax Revenue, Tripling Original Estimate 

Over the past twelve months, Missouri’s legal cannabis program has generated an astounding $241 million in news sales tax revenue for state and local governments across Missouri. This figure is three times as much sales tax revenue as the Missouri State Auditor projected when Missouri voters went to the polls in 2022 and 2018 to legalize adult use and medical cannabis.

The sales taxes generated from the state produce revenue for Missouri veterans, automatic expungements, substance abuse program, Missouri’s public defender program, students, state parks and general revenue. 

2025 Begins MoCann's Seventh Year As The Missouri Cannabis Industry's Unified Voice

MoCann Board Chair Dena Ladd, Executive Director Andrew Mullins, Associate Director Melissa Khan

Although entering another new year, our mission as Missouri's preeminent cannabis trade organization does not change: 

"We're helping create a legal, safe, thriving cannabis industry in Missouri by closely supporting and protecting our members through education, advocacy and policy"

As our industry continues to grow, we'll continue to deliver on that mission statement while working more closely with our members to collaborate on policy impact. It continues to be difficult to eclipse our previous successes, but we are a goal-driven industry and association.

Here are our finalized list of 2025 priorities informed by both our board, strategic advisors, and your participation in our very first industry town hall in Springfield this past November: 

1.) Support Missourians’ Health and Public Safety by Putting The Intoxicating Hemp Genie Back In The Bottle

2.) Collaborate on Federal Policy Changes, Including Rescheduling, SAFER Banking, and Closing the Farm Bill Loophole

3.) Safeguard Long-term Health of the Association by Continuing to Evaluate and Ensure Member ROI

4.) Regulatory Reforms To Ensure The Appropriate Balance Between Regulatory Needs and Business Impact

5.) Educate and Further Normalize our Industry with Legislators to Advance Better Policy Making