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Small Businesses, Big Presence
Missouri Micros Keep Blooming
816 Dispensary Celebrates 816 Day with its Grand Opening. Words and photos by Samantha Blum, contributing writer
Urban Farms products display at 816 Dispensary.
Over the past two years, Missouri’ s cannabis microbusiness program has gone from paperwork and possibilities to storefronts, farms, and real connections. And while it’ s been a steady climb to get here, the last few months have felt like a turning point. More doors are opening, more cultivators are harvesting, and more communities are discovering what“ Micro” is all about.
The scoreboard looks like this: eight microbusinesses have been officially approved to operate, with four more in the commencement inspection stage. We have added one more in operation since last month. Others are still working toward their operational deadlines, with the option to request additional time if needed. All eyes are on October 2, 2025— that’ s the date when every first-round licensee must be fully operational.
It may sound like a clock ticking down, but what’ s happening on the ground feels more like momentum building up.
The Current Micro Landscape
Among those approved and actively operating are Blüme Cannabis, Smuggler’ s Den, Slo MO, and Ozark Mountain Gypsy( OMG) from Round 1. Round 2 has already brought its own players into the fold with LL Wirtz LLC and Monsta Farms. On the retail side, 816 Dispensary and Kush21 Dispensary are both open, serving their communities and carving out space in the market. Kush21 opened its doors on August 8 in Poplar Bluff providing community, culture, and good times.
Platte
City Comes Out to Celebrate 816 Day at 816 Dispensary
On August 16( 816), Platte City felt a little different. The parking lot outside 816 Dispensary was buzzing with music, food trucks, vendors, and a whole community ready to see what this new shop was about. Inside, customers browsed boutique shelves stocked with exclusive pipes and fall-ready merch. Outside, growers and fellow micros were setting up tables, handing out swag, and talking directly with the people who would soon be smoking and enjoying their products.
Bud Wizard at 816 Dispensary.
The day wasn’ t just about 816 Dispensary. It was about all of us. Blüme Cannabis, Urban Farms, Monsta Farms, Slo MO, and Bud Wizard were there, representing the micro family’ s cultivation side. It was an atmosphere you don’ t often find approachable, personal, and grounded in the idea that when you know your grower, the experience is better.
Special guests came out to show their support as well. Platte City Mayor Steve Hoeger said some beautiful words and honored 816 Dispensary with open arms. Andrew Mullins from MoCann joined the celebration and even gave an interview with News 41 KSHB, helping put the spotlight on micros at a statewide level.
34 September 2025
And then there’ s Slo MO, a round 1 winner cultivating indoors with organic living soil. With a complete focus on nurturing each plant from root to flower with the attention only a small grow can give. It’ s a reminder of why the micro license exists in the first place— to provide smaller operators a chance to innovate, connect, and bring unique flavors to Missouri’ s cannabis culture.
But if there was one event that spotlighted what micros can do, it was the Grand Opening of 816 Dispensary.
Jimi Poe cuts the Grand Opening ribbon at 816 Dispensary on 8 / 16 / 25.
By the end of the day, 816 Dispensary had more than doubled its sales compared to its soft opening— and welcomed its 100th customer right in the middle of the festivities.
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