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WENT ON TODAY. THE WOMAN HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM THAT HOSPITAL. THE MARIJUANA BUSINESS IS GROWING IN MISSOURI. AS PROMISED, THE STATE HAS AWARDED LICENSES TO 48 MICRO BUSINESSES. KMBC NINE’S DENNIS EVANS SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE OWNERS WHO HIT THE MARIJUANA SALES LOTTERY. MISSOURI RESIDENTS HAVE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO THE SIGHT OF DISPENSARIES LIKE THIS ON THE CORNER THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THERE ARE ABOUT 200 AND MORE ARE ON THE WAY. DEMAND FOR MARIJUANA IS HIGH IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI. LOTS OF MONEY BEING MADE AND THE STATE IS NOW TRYING TO KEEP HIS WORD BY SPREADING THE WEALTH, BY AWARDING 48 MICRO LICENSES. SO THE MICRO INDUSTRY IN ITSELF WAS REALLY CONCEIVED WITH THE PASSING OF THE RECREATIONAL BILL. ESSENTIALLY, IT’S ITS OWN ENCAPSULATE. MID MARKET, 1600 PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI APPLIED, 48 WERE PICKED THROUGH A LOTTERY LICENSE. WINNERS LIKE TANGO HOTEL CHARLIE HAD TO MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING HAVING A NET WORTH OF UNDER $250,000. YOU’VE BEEN INCARCERATED FOR A CANNABIS OFFENSE, FOR EXAMPLE. OR IF YOU HAVE A DISABLED VETERAN OR ANY KIND OF SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY THINGS LIKE THAT. THE GOAL IS TO SPREAD THE BOOKS THAT COME FROM THE BUD. THE CURRENT LAWS MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT FOR MICROS TO TRULY PROSPER. I MEAN, OTHER THAN JUST A COUPLE MORE STORES POPPING UP AS FAR AS COMPETITION, IT’S A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT COMPETITION BECAUSE WE CAN ONLY SELL X, Y AND Z PRODUCTS. WE CAN’T SELL A, B AND C PRODUCTS THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE MARKET KIND OF A THING. WELL, NOW THAT THE APPROVAL PROCESS HAS BEEN COMPLETED, THERE’S STILL THE MATTER OF GETTING THESE BUSINESSES UP AND RUNNING AND WE’RE TOLD THAT IN MANY CASES THIS COULD TAKE UP TO POSSIBLY A YEAR. DENNIS EVANS KMBC NINE NEWS. THE STATE IS EXPECTED
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As marijuana remains illegal in Kansas, Missouri has hit $2.3 billion in sales
Updated: 12:55 AM CDT Apr 19, 2024
In regards to marijuana, it’s a tale of two states for those in the Kansas City metro area. Kansas is one of the few states where marijuana remains completely illegal. Meanwhile, recreational marijuana has been legal for over a year. Where do marijuana laws stand in Kansas? Kansas does not allow any marijuana sales, medical or recreational. While she has stopped short of calling for full legalization, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has repeatedly called for the legalization of medical marijuana. Kansas lawmakers have attempted to pass medicinal marijuana for the past three sessions.Senate Bill 555 was proposed during the 2024 session. It is considered a ‘medical marijuana pilot’ program. The proposed legislation focuses on regulating the cultivation, processing, and distribution of medical cannabis for patients recommended by physicians. It also establishes specific terms and conditions governing these operations, as well as outlining the criteria for physician certifications endorsing medical cannabis use.However, it’s unlikely to receive a vote this session. Back in 2021, the Kansas House of Representatives voted 79-42 to approve of legalizing medical marijuana. However, the Kansas Senate chose not to take up the bill. What are the marijuana penalties in Kansas? Possessing marijuana, even in small quantities for personal use, is considered a criminal offense in Kansas. Those found in violation face class B nonperson misdemeanors, which can result in fines reaching $1,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both. For repeat offenders, second convictions escalate to class A nonperson misdemeanors, potentially leading to a year-long jail sentence, fines up to $2,500, or both. Third and subsequent convictions are classified as level 5 drug felonies, carrying penalties of up to 42 months in prison and fines as high as $100,000. Marijuana sales only increasing in MissouriMore than a year after recreational marijuana became legal, sales keep on climbing.In March 2024, Missouri broke a record for recreational marijuana sold, coming in at $108.7 million.When including sales of medical marijuana, nearly $125 million in sales were reported by the state. In October 2023, the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation granted 48 marijuana microbusiness licenses via a lottery system to top applicants.These licenses are designated for small-scale enterprises, providing an opportunity for marginalized or underrepresented individuals to engage in the legal marijuana industry.KMBC reporting on legalized marijuana in Missouri:Marijuana sales in Missouri since full legalization in February averaging over $3M a dayAn inside look at the thriving cannabis industry in Kansas CityKansas push for medical marijuana appears done in 2023 after committee tables billElection results: Voters in and around Kansas City, Mo., approve higher taxes on recreational marijuanaMissouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation announces recall impacting nearly 63,000 marijuana productsOver $100 million in marijuana sales were recorded in Missouri during first month of legalization
In regards to marijuana, it’s a tale of two states for those in the Kansas City metro area.
Kansas is one of the few states where marijuana remains completely illegal.
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Meanwhile, recreational marijuana has been legal for over a year.
Where do marijuana laws stand in Kansas?
Kansas does not allow any marijuana sales, medical or recreational.
While she has stopped short of calling for full legalization, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has repeatedly called for the legalization of medical marijuana.
Kansas lawmakers have attempted to pass medicinal marijuana for the past three sessions.
Senate Bill 555 was proposed during the 2024 session. It is considered a ‘medical marijuana pilot’ program.
The proposed legislation focuses on regulating the cultivation, processing, and distribution of medical cannabis for patients recommended by physicians.
It also establishes specific terms and conditions governing these operations, as well as outlining the criteria for physician certifications endorsing medical cannabis use.
However, it’s unlikely to receive a vote this session.
Back in 2021, the Kansas House of Representatives voted 79-42 to approve of legalizing medical marijuana. However, the Kansas Senate chose not to take up the bill.
What are the marijuana penalties in Kansas?
Possessing marijuana, even in small quantities for personal use, is considered a criminal offense in Kansas.
Those found in violation face class B nonperson misdemeanors, which can result in fines reaching $1,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.
For repeat offenders, second convictions escalate to class A nonperson misdemeanors, potentially leading to a year-long jail sentence, fines up to $2,500, or both.
Third and subsequent convictions are classified as level 5 drug felonies, carrying penalties of up to 42 months in prison and fines as high as $100,000.
Marijuana sales only increasing in Missouri
More than a year after recreational marijuana became legal, sales keep on climbing.
In March 2024, Missouri broke a record for recreational marijuana sold, coming in at $108.7 million.
When including sales of medical marijuana, nearly $125 million in sales were reported by the state.
In October 2023, the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation granted 48 marijuana microbusiness licenses via a lottery system to top applicants.
These licenses are designated for small-scale enterprises, providing an opportunity for marginalized or underrepresented individuals to engage in the legal marijuana industry.
