Medical Pot: Missouri OKs Licenses In Eight Districts For Medical Marijuana Supply

The state of Missouri, on Friday, granted 24 licenses for each of the state’s eight congressional districts to supply medical marijuana prescriptions, marking another milestone following the vote in Nov. 2018 to legalize medical marijuana.

According to the Associated Press, a total of 192 businesses received dispensary licenses to supply the medical cannabis prescriptions and eight of the said businesses can be found in Springfield.

While the numbers are still far from the initial applications submitted to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, experts noted that the approvals are still a good step moving forward.

Official data revealed almost 1,200 businesses applied for a license. However, there are specific eligibility requirements that applying parties need to pass before they are awarded licenses.

Furthermore, the drug should be grown in sites that pass state regulations and policies. There are also necessary tests to be completed before a business is granted with a license to supply in Missouri.

While those who were awarded licenses to supply medical marijuana subscriptions in the state are rejoicing, others expressed frustration over their rejection.

TriCept Wellness’ Janette Hamilton revealed that, despite her company’s recognition for earning the 16^th highest score in the district, other applicants who had lower scores were granted licenses.

It is unclear why Hamilton’s company was rejected but industry experts previously predicted that 2020 will be a huge year for medical pot in the United States and the latest developments could just be the beginning.

It is expected that over 40 states in the country will give the green light for medical marijuana before the year ends, albeit certain limitations. Advocates are already stepping up efforts in getting voters to OK the calls for medical marijuana, Politico reported.

While it could be good news for some citizens and businesses pressing the government for more action on this cause, confusion on the specific limits of medical pot use could still arise along the way.

Some of the liberal states that already make use of ballot petitions for medical cannabis are Massachusetts, Oregon, and California. The said states have largely voted in favor of the drug.

In other states such as Florida, advocates and lawmakers supporting medical marijuana still have hurdles to overcome. Last year, efforts to collect adequate signatures for a 2020 ballot voting failed to materialize.

Meanwhile, in Illinois, more residents are applying for medical marijuana cards. According to the Chicago Tribune, over 2,570 people have applied for the said cards between Jan. 1 through Jan. 17, marking a 34 percent increase from the same period in the previous month.

Analysts said the spike in medical cannabis interest may be linked to the desire of most consumers to find a way out of taxes implemented on some marijuana-induced products.