From The Editor
Bill Cromwell , Publisher , Editor-in-Chief
Despite Hurdles , the MJ Industry Remains Strong
As we wrap up our fourth year since launching this magazine and reflect on the past 36 months of medical sales legalization and 10 months of legal adult use , we can ’ t help but think it ’ s been an amazing journey .
The very first legal Missouri medical cannabis sale took place on October 17 , 2020 , when medical patients made the first historic purchases . Then , on February 3 , adult-use consumers persevered in long lines to make historic first purchases . Adult-use sales were reported at $ 5 million for the first day and nearly 13 million for the first three-day opening weekend . Missouri ’ s MJ cumulative sales tallied $ 1,594.7 million ( Oct . 2020 thru Sept . 2023 ), with the total cannabis sales in September alone reaching $ 117.8 million .
Over the past three short years since the first legal sale , 201 dispensaries , 78 manufacturers , 54 cultivation companies , along with many additional auxiliary businesses have opened . Through November 8 , the state reports 129,454 active medical patient certifications and 18,035 workers have been approved to work at facilities . Over $ 100 million in taxes and fees have been generated for the state , with veterans ’ health care being the biggest recipient . We ’ ve come a long way since October 2020 .
On October 31 , the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services ( DHSS ) announced the transfer of $ 13 million in funds from Missouri ’ s medical marijuana program to the Missouri Veterans Commission ( MVC ). This marks the fifth transfer for a total of $ 39,978,820 since the medical program was formed in late 2018 .
DHSS also transferred $ 3,836,919 generated by Missouri ’ s adultuse marijuana program to the following agencies ($ 1,278,973 each ):
● MVC : exclusively for health care and other services for military veterans and their dependent families .
● Missouri State Public Defender : to be used only for legal assistance for low-income Missourians .
● DHSS : to operate a grant program for sub-recipients to increase access to evidence-based , low-barrier drug addiction treatment , prioritizing medically proven treatment and overdose prevention and reversal methods and public or private treatment options with an emphasis on reintegrating recipients into their local communities , to support overdose prevention education , and to support job placement , housing , and counseling for those with substance use disorders . The year has not been without challenges for those within the industry . In August , Missouri dispensaries and manufacturers were notified by the Division of Cannabis Regulation ( DCR ) to recall / pull nearly 63,000 products / SKUs from store shelves and place them on hold , meaning quarantine those products to the dispensary ’ s safe due to a suspected inversion investigation ( see my September editorial or recalled products located at www . Cannabis . Mo . Gov for more details ). Ultimately , in October , some of those products were released for sale . Many remain in quarantine . The recall reportedly could cause losses approaching $ 50 million for these small businesses through no fault of their own .
Nevertheless , cultivation , manufacturing , and dispensaries alike keep moving forward . Plants are growing , harvested , and new products are released monthly , providing dispensaries inventory for high consumer demand . Despite hurdles , the industry remains positive and strong .
We ’ ve sprinkled some Holiday gift ideas throughout this issue , plus many educational articles . We thank our dedicated readers and advertising partners and wish everyone a very happy holiday season .
6 December 2023
Missouri ’ s First Educational Medical Cannabis Magazine Published Monthly by Native Kansas City , MO , Advocates , Publishers and Writers . A True Missouri Born Grassroots Effort to Educate and Inform Patients , and to Provide Businesses within The Missouri Cannabis Industry an Economical Forum to Share Their Story . We hope you join and enjoy “ The EVOLUTION .”
PUBLISHER , EDITOR-IN-CHIEF : Bill Cromwell News , Articles , Advertisement , & All Requests Should Email to : Bill . C @ TheEvolutionMag . com Corporate Office ( New 2023 ) 816.886.9017 Kansas City , MO Mail to : P . O . Box 485 , Grain Valley , MO 64029
MANAGING EDITOR , VP OF OPERATIONS : Victoria Cromwell DIRECTOR MARKETING and EDITORIAL DEVELOPMENT : Clayton Stallings CREATIVE DESIGNER , GRAPHIC ARTS and EDITORIAL : Bill Cromwell PHOTOGRAPHY : Clayton Stallings , and guests photographers
Our Team of Expert Writers and Cannabis Industry Leaders
● Danielle Buntyon ― Elevated Learning
● Kassie Ferrero ― Dispensary Product Reviews and News
● Dana Cunningham — Cooking with CBD and THC
● Dolores Halbin , RN — Patient Advocate and Awareness
● Peter Kershaw — Health and Safety Columnist
● Leah Maurer — Health , Awareness , Ask Leah Columnist
● Dr . Poppa , D . O ., M . B . A . ― Medical Health News
● Jay Richardson ― Patient Features
● Rocco Scarcello ― Educational
● Todd Scattini ― Veterans News
● Monthly Guest Writers — Cannabis News & Feature Stories
The EVOLUTION TM Magazine offers a monthly print magazine that is distributed throughout western Missouri , select St . Louis locations , eastern Kansas and the Lake of the Ozarks region . Free printed copies are found at nearly 360 locations including CBD stores , MMJ Dispensaries , Garden and Grow Supply Stores , doctors offices , restaurants , sports bars , resorts , and many other select locations . In addition , the monthly magazine is offered online in an inter-active E-magazine at www . TheEvolutionMag . com .
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FDA Disclaimer : Any statements / claims made within this magazine have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration . No articles , products or Ads featured within these pages are intended to diagnose , treat , cure , prevent any disease , ailment or disorder . Medical decisions should not be made based on advertisements within these pages . Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products . Products mentioned within for use by adults age 21 and older . Keep such products out of reach of children . The information within is a sharing of knowledge and information based on the writers research , opinions and / or educated experience .
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