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What ’ s next for 2022 ?
Recreational Use or Medicinal Diversity ? by Andrew Park , contributing writer
The state of Missouri legalized medicinal cannabis and coming out of the gate shows extreme promise for a growing industry . What is the next step ? Is it adult recreational use ? Or is it more diversified medical attention ? The issue that has yet to be addressed is the lack of infrastructure within the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services ( DHSS ) that oversees cannabis . While these hard-working individuals are doing their best and having great results , another wave of licensing for recreational use could put them years behind any real progress in making sure the state is safely overseeing this industry . Innovation could come to a screeching halt , and many small business owners could miss out . Therefore , it ’ s important that the state makes the DHSS a priority when it comes to the budget and that they are appropriately staffed .
During 2020 and early 2021 , some felt that price points were high , while others understood that would be a temporary issue . The supply being far less than the demand seemed to be the reasoning for the prices ; some say that you could trace that problem to the limits set by the state for cultivation . Thankfully , during the last half of 2021 , cultivators nearly tripled within the state , and now , selection for patients looks to be flourishing . The opinions of some industry professionals are that Missouri establishing the medicinal market is paramount to the overall success of cannabis in our state . Concerns about adult recreational use too soon may cause cannibalism within the cannabis market . Meaning recreational dispensaries could become so abundant that medical cannabis patients start feeling as if they are not receiving cannabis related healthcare as opposed to simply going to get groceries . This could also cause a lax in the regulatory aspect of medicinal cannabis . One thing patients need right now is more clarity and education within the state . Heading into
38 February 2022 a recreational use too soon may blur the lines and may even delegitimize cannabis as a medicine in the minds of many Missouri voters .
While for many , the counterpoint with adult recreational use is , medicinal patients could have much easier access to cannabis . This puts less pressure on companies to clarify the medicinal aspects of the product and not just the recreational aspects of the product . Thinking of this purely from a marketing standpoint , to stay relevant in the minds of consumers and continue to advertise and operate as a medicinal dispensary , you no longer have access to the hundreds of thousands of recreational adult consumers .
Patient safety has always been the priority , and I have mentioned that multiple times in my previous articles . I ’ m not saying recreational use wouldn ’ t be safely regulated by the state ; I am saying that there is a case to be made for medicinal cannabis to tweak any imperfections to better prepare for the adult recreational market . I ’ ve always been a fan of small businesses , and if that small business wants to make their market in the medical industry , I don ’ t think it ’ s right to take away that opportunity from that small business . Recreational use may also open the floodgates to more “ vertically integrated operators that have licenses to operate in multiple states ” ( MSOs ). Although there are already a number of MSOs operating currently — this could make them abundant in Missouri . I want to make sure that readers clearly understand that I don ’ t think MSOs are unwelcome in the state . I just want to make sure that this isn ’ t just a giant money grab for those who don ’ t need more money . I began writing to cover this industry , hoping that I would see Missouri become wealthier and see the good people who live here have the opportunity to own small businesses and prosper .
Let ’ s look at the flip-side . Adult Recreational use legalization does open the door for more business opportunities — cannabis-friendly venues , cannabis-friendly hotels , cannabis-friendly restaurants , and the list goes on . Again , these options are viable because of having an established public acceptance of the current progressive medical market . The upside is revitalizing neighborhoods that have been left behind — allowing residents to become entrepreneurs of cannabis-friendly bed and breakfasts or any number of small business opportunities . By the end of 2021 , medical cannabis sales rose to above $ 200 million . That number is from the qualified medical patients . Missourians are slowly getting used to the idea of seeing cannabis as a viable medicine for those in need . However , there is also an entire market out there for those who want to enjoy cannabis without going to see a doctor .
In closing , I want to make it clear that I have signed a petition that ’ s being circulated by Legal MO 22 . I absolutely want adult recreational use in Missouri . More importantly , I ’ d like to see it done right . Our state deserves every benefit adult recreational use offers — let ’ s get it right !
Andrew Park ACRP-CP , is the Director of Regulatory Affairs for a clinical research company based in KC . His years of experience in research have shown him the importance that treatments can always be improved . A Kansas City native , Andrew recently launched his Seed and Stems cannabis-related podcast on Spotify . Contact him at andrewkcpark @ gmail . com .
Written views of the contributing writers expressed in this publication belong to the writers and do not reflect the sentiments or editorial opinion of the publisher or staff of THE EVOLUTION Magazine LLC .