March welcomes the second month of legalized adult-use sales in Missouri and a much-needed income boost for the 324 statelicensed cannabis sales-related companies ( see the breakdown on page 42 ). Dispensaries opening early and staying late on February 3 to serve long lines of adult-use and medical consumers paid off as sales were reported at $ 5 million for the first day alone and nearly 13 million for the first three-day opening weekend .
In comparison , according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation , more than 77,000 legal recreational cannabis transactions occurred on New Year ’ s Day 2020 , resulting in nearly $ 3.2 million in sales . The average customer spent $ 135 per sale . As of January 6 , 2023 , Illinois dispensaries reported sales of $ 1.5 billion in marijuana products in 2022 , making a new record . Sales were up 12 % from 2021 and 131 % from 2020 ; the first-year Illinois recreational cannabis became legal . There are currently 113 dispensaries across the state . Missouri currently has 196 dispensaries .
For Missouri , adult-use sales outpaced medical purchases by more than a two-to-one margin , and early estimates by MoCannTrade predict that it could grow to a five-to-one margin .
Many dispensaries tell us that sales held strong throughout February and will only trend upward as more consumers become comfortable with legally purchasing cannabis and learning more about the huge variety of products available — many of those products and brands featured in this magazine .
Within this issue , consumers new to legally purchasing cannabis will find educational and informational content to help them become knowledgeable and comfortable when it ’ s time to visit a local dispensary . For example , see page 24 ; Leah will guide you through and answer questions like , “ What Are the Best Cannabis Products to Try if You Are a Newish Consumer ?” And page 28 , Budtender Picks , where Kassie will break down several of the newest rosins and give you the “ High ” points of each . These are but two examples among many that you ’ ll find in this and every issue . So , if you are a “ Newish Consumer ,” you ’ ll want to grab a copy quickly each month ( they go fast ), and you ’ re welcome to subscribe . Information on subscriptions can be found on page 76 , or you can order at our website . Wondering how much you can buy from a dispensary at a time in Missouri ? See purchase and possession limits on page 18 .
For first-time dispensary customers , please remember that credit card companies aren ’ t processing marijuana purchases because it ’ s still federally illegal , so you will need to bring enough cash to cover the purchase . Many dispensaries will have ATMs ( some that add a fee for using the machine ). It ’ s best to bring cash . Missouri will tax 6 % of every recreational sale , and individual cities can opt to take another 3 % on top of that , so consider that when gathering cash for your purchase . Kansas residents are allowed to purchase and consume in Missouri , but possessing any amount of marijuana in Kansas is still illegal — buyer beware !
Cards for medical cannabis are still a good idea to get and retain . They will save you money on your purchases in the long run . Patient sale tax is fixed at 4 % in Missouri . Qualifying for a medical patient card can be for various health issues and common conditions like insomnia , depression , migraines , arthritis , pain , and more . See a complete list on page 74 . Medical cards are now good for three years , but if you want to apply to be an adult-use cultivator ( to grow at home ), you ’ ll need to renew that license yearly .
In Missouri , it remains against the law to smoke or consume cannabis in public spaces , moving cars , or driving under the influence . However , venues like the Smokey River Entertainment District in River Bend , MO , will open this spring and allow cannabis consumption , plus host the first of three summer 2023 concerts on April 20 . See the news on page 58 .
6 March 2023
From The Editor
Bill Cromwell , Publisher , Editor-in-Chief Luck of the Green
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 ( New 8 / 22 ): 816.886.9017 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 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
● 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
● 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 & Patient Advocates
The EVOLUTION
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