This month marks the seventh anniversary of our magazine. It would be an understatement to say that the evolving Missouri cannabis industry and federal regulations over the past six years have been a constant source of change. Some are great, some are questionable, but change is inevitable for every industry.
Now, most know that our federal government is finally recognizing the health benefits of medical cannabis and has moved it from Schedule I to Schedule III, opening many doors for medical use and research. However, more work needs to be done to fully legalize cannabis at the federal level. Still, it’ s a hint of progress.
Our own Clayton Stallings’ feature article in this issue( page 24), titled“ Important Things You Need to Know for Our 7th Anniversary Issue,” discusses rescheduling and its implications for our states’ medical marijuana license holders, long-needed tax breaks for“ medical” sales, and much more. It’ s a must-read.
More good news for medical cannabis consumers came on May 11, when the ATF posted an online draft of its proposed Firearm Transaction Record( federal form 4473), revising the definition of an“ unlawful” drug user. This is the federal firearms transaction record you must complete when purchasing a firearm— a Federal Firearms Licensee( ATF form).
Previously, the ATF defined any person with a history of“ any” cannabis use as an“ unlawful user,” legally prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm. The revised( proposed) form acknowledges that this exclusion no longer prohibits firearms purchases for those who exclusively consume state-authorized“ medical” cannabis products, which the Justice Department recently reclassified from Schedule I to Schedule III( for medical use) under the Controlled Substances Act.
The ATF’ s revisions are not yet official, as several other proposed changes to Form 4473 require public comments through July 7. See: https:// www. atf. gov / media / 29576 / download
“ Acceptance of the newly proposed rule would mean that no state-legal medical cannabis patient will any longer have to choose between either their medicine or their constitutional right to bear arms,” NORML’ s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said.“ Further, it provides the legal basis for recognizing 2nd Amendment protections for all responsible cannabis consumers if the federal government ultimately decides to reschedule botanical cannabis— as proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services.”
Our June 2025 issue featured an article about the Missouri cannabis industry’ s movement to“ Bringing Back The‘ Medical’ In Marijuana” on page 28( you can see the June 2025 issue at www. TheEvolutionMag. com). The industry-wide initiative is ongoing, with dispensary staff training through MoCannTrade’ s“ Healthcare Education and Training, A Renewed Wellness Focus.”
With proposed ATF rule changes, rescheduling to Schedule III, and the lower 4 % tax rate on medical cannabis purchases— as opposed to 12 % for adult use— it’ s wise for those who have procrastinated on getting or renewing their state-issued medical ID cards to“ Just Do It” now.
Enjoy your month and seek out your state-issued medical ID card— it will save you money.
6 JUNE 2026
From
Bill Cromwell, Publisher
TheEditor
, Editor-in-Chief
Seven Years and New Firearms Regulations
Since 2019
TM
MAGAZINE
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.”
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Our Team of Dedicated Cannabis Industry Writers
● Samantha Blum— Micro Business News
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