Cannabis sales in Missouri have topped $350 million during the first three months of adult-use sales, the Missouri Independent reports. And while sales have remained strong, there was a slight dip in cannabis sales in April as adult-use sales fell about 3% from March, to $91 million, while medical cannabis sales slipped nearly 8% to $30.1 million, KSDK reports.
Missouri cannabis sales nevertheless remain on track to achieve $1 billion in annual sales this year.
Comparatively, it took seven months for neighboring Illinois to reach $300 million in cannabis sales after starting adult-use sales in January 2020. Illinois didn’t reach $1 billion in sales until 2022, according to the Independent.
Missouri officials are also still processing nearly 100 requests for new cannabis businesses or changes to existing facilities. In February, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS) had 121 total pending requests – 39 for cultivation facilities, 36 for manufacturing facilities, seven for transporters, and one testing lab. The state has so far approved 23 of those requests, department spokeswoman Lisa Cox told the Independent, adding that 29 other requests are in final review and should be approved this month.
Cox noted that the Division of Cannabis Regulation is also upping its staff and is about 30% through its hiring plan. She expects the agency should be fully staffed by the end of the year. (Full Story)