From The Editor
Bill Cromwell , Publisher , Editor-in-Chief
Thank You for Mailing the DHSS Postcard
In
July , the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services ( DHSS ) issued a new compliance rule forbidding dispensaries from advertising or promoting any sale offers for products sold at their dispensaries .
Because of the overwhelming concerns from industry leaders and patients who would be adversely affected by the rule change , we were the first to launch a patient postcard mail-in campaign within our September and October issues . It urged the DHSS to reconsider its rule because it prevented patients from finding their medicine at a cost conducive to their budgets .
Additionally , dispensaries offer promotional pricing to help patients afford their medicine and use these opportunities to educate and inform patients . Such “ sales ” or “ promotions ” are no different than any other retailer reducing prices on items to help customers get the best value from their purchasing dollars . All retailers routinely use product discounts or specials to introduce new products to help market and educate consumers about their products . The former issued rule would have handcuffed both patients and retailers from achieving that .
After months of patients mailing nearly 25,000 postcards to the DHSS , along with many MMJ industry professionals meeting and urging the DHSS to reconsider , on November 4 , 2021 , the DHSS announced revisions to the advertising of sales and promotions rule . It will now better serve Missouri medical marijuana patients and the industry .
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 Tell Their Story . We hope you join and enjoy “ The Evolution .”
PUBLISHER , EDITOR-IN-CHIEF : Bill Cromwell News , Articles and Advertisement Requests should email to :
Bill . C @ TheEvolutionMag . com Corporate Office : 816.878.4509 Kansas City , MO
Mail to : P . O . Box 2196 , Independence , MO 64055 MANAGING EDITOR , VP OF OPERATIONS : Victoria Cromwell DIRECTOR MARKETING and EDITORIAL DEVELOPMENT : Clayton Stallings CREATIVE DESIGNER , GRAPHIC ARTS : Bill Cromwell PHOTOGRAPHY : Chris Smith and Clayton Stallings and Guests
The DHSS released a revision to its previous rule 19 CSR 30-95.080 ( 2 )( N ). It now states ( in part ), “ Dispensary facilities shall not advertise discounts on medical marijuana or promote particular medical marijuana products or brands outside the physical licensed premises unless that advertisement or promotion includes the following statement : ‘ Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising . Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products .’ Advertisements on the licensed premises must also comply with 19 CSR 30-95.040 ( 4 )( M )….”
This is HUGE for patients . Patients will now be able to easily find promotions for their medicine without the dispensary fearing repercussions from the DHSS .
Because our December 2021 and January 2022 issues were either on or nearing press time , you may not have seen this disclaimer on Ads . However , beginning with this issue , and as more advertisers redesign their artwork , you will notice the revised DHSS regulation disclaimer at the bottom of Ads . The purpose of the disclaimer is that , as with any pharmaceutical-like products , one should recognize that — Medical-related decisions should not be made based on advertising and you should consult your physician first . Additionally , the disclaimer keeps advertisers in compliance with DHSS rules as set forth .
Thank you again , to everyone who mailed postcards ! This swift change for the better couldn ’ t have been accomplished without all of you taking action and advocating for it .
Our Team of Expert Writers and Cannabis Industry Leaders
● Danielle Buntyon ― Elevated Learning
● Karla Deel — Cannabis Culture and History , Product Profiles
● Dana Howard — Cooking with CBD and THC
● Dolores Halbin , RN — Patient Advocate and Awareness
● April Hatch , RN ― Patient Education Columnist
● Sean Keast ― Product Profiles and Dispensary News
● Peter Kershaw — Health and Safety Columnist
● Leah Maurer — Health , Awareness , Ask Leah Columnist
● Jason Mispagel , — Home Growers Education Columnist
● Andrew Park , ACRP-CP — Cannabiz News
● Dr . Michael J . Poppa , D . O ., M . B . A . ― Medical Health News
● Monthly Guest Writers — Cannabis News & Patient Advocates
The EVOLUTION
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