Once out of prison , after 14 months , Poe ’ s real challenges with a felony cannabis conviction record had just started . His prison sentence shifted to the fast-food industry for over three years as he could not get a different job . His prison settings shifted from a jail cell in max to minimum to a zero-lease opportunity for a place to rent . He moved in with his girlfriend . Eventually , his girlfriend got kicked out of her lease once the landlord learned of Poe living there , followed by a stream of rental denials .
Finally , in 2010 , with the help of a family member , Poe was able to get a good job with a communication company working on cabling and phone systems . Poe ’ s only hope was to lie about his criminal record long enough to prove his work ethic to his employer until the company got a government job that required employee background checks three years into his employment . By then , his employer didn ’ t care and didn ’ t want to lose one of his most valued employees .
Ironically , his story is the one thing that gives him the opportunity to participate in Missouri ’ s Micro Licensed Cannabis Industry , but the equal opportunity to participate in the macro industry has yet to be proven . For Poe , keeping full ownership of the micro dispensary license proves he is in it to win it . His own family is investing in his vision of avoiding larger management group buy-out offers thus far .
Poe grew up in the 816 area code , and it ’ s where his business is located — hence the name , 816 Dispensary , which will be one of Missouri ’ s first Micro License dispensaries to open in early 2025 . Two micro-grow producers are already commenced ( approved to operate by the state ) and will be well past the flowering stage by the time you read this article .
In 2017 , after Poe ’ s cannabis felony conviction was expunged , he opened his tech business , Prime Time Integraters , which he still owns and operates today . ( Photo contributed .)
Jimi and Summer Poe at a past IT Expo in Florida for his Prime Time Integraters business . They will open 816 Dispensary in Platte County in early 2025 .
Just like when the medical marijuana industry first started four years ago , it will take time for the new micro licenses to get up to full speed . So even though there may be fewer options available when 816 Dispensary officially opens next year , we encourage you to know that you are purchasing more than just cannabis ; you are also purchasing Poe ’ s redemption story .
On January 6 , 2017 , much to the dismay of the Kansas state prosecutor , Poe was able to get his cannabis felony conviction expunged and start his own tech company , Prime Time Integraters , which he still owns and operates today .
Tech is nothing new to Poe , but after spending almost 20 years hiding his felony cannabis conviction , talking about his story still seems to him like it happened just six months ago . Can you imagine spending most of your life having your past mistakes held over your head and labeling you as a second-class citizen , always fighting for equal opportunity ?
Clayton Stallings is the Director of Sales & Marketing for
The EVOLUTION Magazine
November 2024 33