Microbusiness Resources & Membership

MICROBUSINESSES COMING TO THE MISSOURI CANNABIS INDUSTRY

In Nov. 2022, voters went to the polls and by a margin of more than 127,000 votes made Missouri the 21st state to legalize cannabis and the first state to automatically expunge past, nonviolent marijuana offenses by a vote of the people. Additionally, the new constitutional amendment also created a pathway for more Missourians to get into the cannabis industry through the microbusiness license program. 

As the voice of trade for Missouri cannabis, MoCannTrade is creating programming to help inform, prepare and connect microbusiness applicants and operators with business contacts, supply chain and service provider resources, virtual and in person event programming. This is the same approach we took when working to prepare Missouri’s existing commercial cannabis operators prior to both Amendment 2 and Amendment 3 passage.  Our hope is to again address the needs of Missourians interested in applying or operating Microbusiness Licenses and helping to serve the needs of Missouri cannabis patients and consumers.  

WHAT IS A MICROBUSINESS FACILITY? 

A microbusiness facility refers to either a microbusiness dispensary or a microbusiness wholesale facility, both of which conduct operations related to marijuana for medical and adult use. A microbusiness is different from a medical or comprehensive facility because it is designed to provide a path to facility ownership for individuals who might not otherwise easily access that opportunity, such as those with a net worth of less than $250,000 or veterans with a service-connected disability. 

In order to qualify for a microbusiness facility license, applicant entities shall be majority owned by individuals who each meet at least one of a number of qualifications set forth in the Constitution.

THE MOCANNTRADE MICROBUSINESS EXPLAINER

For more detailed information about applying for a Microbusiness, download a FREE copy of the MoCann Microbusiness Explainer PDF by clicking below:

DOWNLOAD THE MICROBUSINESS EXPLAINER PDF

Applicants for microbusiness licenses must be majority owned by individuals who meet one of these equity requirements:

• Has a net worth of less than $250,000 and an income below 250% of the federal poverty level for at least 3 of the 10 calendar years prior to applying
• Has a valid service-connected disability card issued by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
• Is a person who has been, or a parent, guardian, or spouse of a person who has been arrested for, prosecuted for, or convicted of a non-violent marijuana offense unless the offense involved selling marijuana to a minor or driving under the influence 
• Reside in a zip code or census tract where:
  •        30% or more of the population lives below the federal poverty level 
  •        The rate of unemployment is 50% higher than the state average
  •        The historic rate of incarceration for marijuana-related offenses is 50% higher than the rate for the entire state
  •        Graduated from a school district unaccredited at the time of graduation or has lived in a zip code containing an unaccredited school district for 3 of the past 5 years

A facility license is valid for three years from the date the license was issued. Renewal requests must be submitted  in a department-provided, web-based application system at least 30 days, but no sooner than 90 days, prior to expiration. These requirements apply to all licensees, including microbusinesses.

Yes. In the event two eligible applicants are selected with the same proposed address, the department will review the circumstances with applicants and permit one of the applicants to change location within the congressional district.

No. There is no residency requirement in order to apply for a microbusiness application.

If your application is near the top of the list resulting from the lottery, the Department may request additional information or documents needed to determine eligibility for a license by sending the request to the email address of the designated contact associated with the application. If requested, the applicant will have three business days to provide the requested information or documents.

Yes, applications not chosen by lottery will result in the application being denied. Those applicants may choose to submit a new application during the next application submission time period.

No. The regulations are clear that an entity may apply to the Department for and obtain only one license to operate a marijuana microbusiness facility, which may be either a microbusiness dispensary facility or a microbusiness wholesale facility. This means that an individual or entity may only be listed on one application, regardless of the amount of ownership interests. This limitation ensures everyone who applies has an equal chance at a license. If an individual or entity appears on multiple applications, all applications in which the individual or entity appears will be in violation of the rule and will be denied.

For any outstanding questions please reach out to the Facility Application Services Unit at CannabisFAS@health.mo.gov. If your questions need to be directed to a different section within the Division, the FAS Unit will forward to the appropriate person.

Applicants must choose the congressional district where their microbusiness facility will be located. Applicants are not required to reside in the same congressional district as the proposed facility address.

No. The Department will not be able to announce which applicants will be awarded a microbusiness license until each application has been reviewed to determine if the applicant has satisfied all application criteria to receive a license. The drawing list for each congressional district is the order that applications will be reviewed. An application that was one of the first drawn applications may not be awarded a microbusiness license for a number of reasons, such as:

• The proposed facility location is too close to an existing school, church, or daycare.
• The application does not demonstrate the applicant is majority owned by eligible individuals.
• An individual or applicant appears on more than one microbusiness application.
• The application is in violation of a rule or Article XIV.
• This is not a complete list of reasons why a drawn application may not be awarded a license.

If a drawn application is found to not meet application requirements, the next application from the drawing list will be reviewed. A denial notice containing the reasons for the denial will be issued to applicants determined to not meet application requirements. Any denied applicant may seek review of the denial through the Administrative Hearing Commission or may request a refund of the application fee.

In October 2023, the first round of 48 microbusiness licenses were awarded. During the second application round occurring Spring 2024, DCR will be adding additional licenses—one wholesale and eight dispensary—to the constitutionally required 48 microbusiness licenses due to the revocation of nine licenses from the first round.

MICROBUSINESS FACILITY MEMBERSHIP OVERVIEW

The annual member dues for a Microbusiness membership has been permanently reduced to $500.  At this time, MoCann is offering a $500 membership level for micro applicants or licensees to allow them access to all the benefits other commercial licensed members enjoy.  This annual dues amount applies to micro applicants seeking membership who find value in a MoCann membership as well as licensed microbusinesses.  See microbusiness specific member benefits below: 

JOIN WITH A MICROBUSINESS MEMBERSHIP