Missouri legal weed advocates say 3rd Amendment not perfect but ‘too much effort’ | KCUR 89.3 | Media Pyro

Legalizing the recreational drug could have sweeping effects statewide if Missouri voters approve a legislative change Nov. 8, but some drug advocates and small business owners say it won’t. all success odds are equal.

On the one hand, Missouri’s Amendment 3 would expunge the criminal records of people with previous non-violent marijuana convictions and criminal mischief; on the other hand, the amendment prohibits many licenses to grow and sell drugs.

The latter makes it difficult for many small business owners to find a way to handle legal cannabis, said Rich Dunfield, founder and owner of Native Hemp Co. — a CBD store in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

“I know for a lot of Missourians, this Amendment 3 is going to work, and it’s going to be scary,” Dunfield said. “But there is another side that I would like to have access to for other licenses that are available. I have been working in cannabis every day for the past five years and it is considered a successful small drug business. I don’t have a chance to buy a license.”

Since Missouri legalized medical marijuana in 2018, the state has issued about 200 medical licenses and 65 cultivation licenses. Under Amendment 3, at least 144 new licenses will be granted; The priority is those who already have a medical license and a lot of capital, Dunfield explained.

“I know why they wrote the bill like that. This is one of the biggest investments that the government will make, and we want to reduce the risk by working with people with high incomes,” said Dunfield. “However, they reduce innovation. and justice with that thought.

“… Many people are connected together — so if there are people who have money, then there are people who are wise, people who manage well, that’s how corporations come together,” he continued. “I’d like to see some space for small shops that do everything because, again, that’s how creativity works.”

Channa Steinmetz

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Startland News

The partnership is where Michael Wilson and Ronald Rice co-founded Franklin’s Stash House, a manufacturer of drug products that distributes to dispensaries throughout Missouri. The group of entrepreneurs secured one of the newest dispensary licenses in Missouri after connecting with a business broker and raising the much needed capital in less than three months, Wilson recalled.

“It’s unheard of to raise $2 million in under 90 days and then be asked to build an entire building in less than four months,” Wilson said. and said that most firms should spend between $10 million. to $30 million to enter the market. “Everybody that’s involved with us is very entrepreneurial and very active with us.”

Franklin’s Stash House is located in Kansas City, Missouri. At 12 people, this is the smallest group that Wilson can recruit for those who have a product manufacturing license.

“The average group is between 20 and 25, and then the garden is big, and on average, 25 to 50 people,” Wilson said. “We really want to see more people licensed, but I ask people to understand that this legal environment is like a pharmacy or a high-end food plant – and it costs money. You have to raise money.” for lawyers, accountants and management professionals, so a one-man or one-woman show cannot be done in Missouri.”

Amendment 3 also includes a micro business licensing program that would be appropriate for drug addicts seeking to cultivate or sell recreational drugs. Microbusinesses are allowed to cooperate with other mircobusinesses, according to the amendment. Micro business licenses are awarded through a lottery process. The criteria for who can apply for a micro business license remains unclear.

“We don’t know much about it [the microbusiness licensing program] to know if it will help our business in any way, but I really hope it helps other people in this game,” said Dunfield.

Wilson co-founder Rice is eager to connect with microbusiness licensees and provide them with the knowledge and resources his team needs to succeed, he said. .

“We’re very passionate about making micro-licensing a success,” said Rice. “We are working hard to educate entrepreneurs and the next generation of micro-licensees.”

Missouri’s 6 percent recreational drug tax is expected to bring in millions of dollars in revenue for the state. The drug industry is a new form of economics, Wilson said.

“We have to consider that this is a new industry invested in and [Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services] it needs to be managed,” Wilson said. “It’s not very good because you’re talking about a big bureaucracy running something that’s a new business.

“At the end of the day, you can’t issue more licenses right now because there’s not enough demand until marijuana becomes recreational,” he continued. “When there is more demand, the DHSS can check and see if there are people from the micro license that they want to bring in or if they want to issue another license. When we see mismanagement, we see a complete collapse of the industry and it needs to be reformed.

Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3

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Oklahoma, one of Missouri’s closest states, legalized medical marijuana in 2018. Oklahoma’s low entry barrier — about $2,500 to get a license — has led to more dispensaries opening up. just in the government. Because of businesses that sell out of state, they violate federal and state laws and consider marijuana to be the black market. State officials are asking for $4 million to crack down on illegal farms and businesses.

If Amendment 3 passes, Dunfield agreed that small shops like his would be forced to compete with dispensaries that sell marijuana.

“We will continue to do what we do – making the highest quality cannabinoids that are allowed to be produced from the hemp plant,” Dunfield said. “For every shop that opens, I believe that more people will be interested in cannabis. And maybe the competition will challenge us to be more creative, but that’s not what I’m afraid of.

“We have the ability to sell marijuana and cannabis and hemp,” he continued. “We can have lists like cocoa drinks, mushrooms, some vitamin and mineral ratio in fresh drinks and baked goods. Customers may find us moving around to a cafe and bar that focuses on these strong ingredients and excellent customer service.

For Steve Gardner, founder of House of Kush, Amendment 3 is a way for him to expand his business in Missouri. Although House of Kush is based in Kansas City, Missouri, the business focuses on licensing, marketing and branding throughout the country and beyond.

“We do business in eight other countries and three foreign countries – Israel, Austria and Germany – but we have started to look at the Missouri market and identify who we want to work with together,” Gardner said. “I was born and raised in Kansas City, so I love this city and it gets better with time [marijuana] go have fun.”

As a longtime advocate of drug use, Gardner hopes the legalization of recreational drugs will change the narrative around the drug industry, he said.

“Having worked with many professional athletes, I have seen many of them use it after their sports career for joint pain and headaches and sleep issues and so on. every challenge they faced,” Gardner said. “I hope this will help people understand the true medicinal benefits this plant offers for humans.”

On the Kansas side, Gary Upah, founder of Soggy Bottom Hemp, believes Missouri’s vote could push the law across state lines.

“It’s now being said that if Missouri goes recreational, with the state line dividing Kansas City down the middle, there’s no way we’re going to be able to keep marijuana in Kansas,” he said. Stop talking. “I think this will strengthen the hand of Kansas to have a serious discussion.”

Ultimately if Missouri voters decide to pass Amendment 3, more people will have access to marijuana, Wilson said.

“Whether the reform is perfect or not perfect today, it will take time to change,” Wilson said. “To me, to push legalization, the opportunity for the patient to get a more affordable product is going backwards. A lot of people can be treated and have peace of mind through it. the drug is very good to work hard.

This story was originally published on Startland News, a partner member of the KC Media Collective.