Two Columbia businesses awarded marijuana microbusiness dispensary licenses

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two locations in Columbia were among the 48 marijuana microbusiness licenses awarded on Monday by the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, according to a press release.

The DCR stated in the release that it received more than 1,600 applications during the July 27-Aug. 10 application period. A majority of the approvals – 19 – came from the St. Louis area.

Six microbusiness licenses were awarded within each of Missouri’s eight congressional districts through a random lotteray, according to the release. Of the six in each district, two are microbusiness dispensary licenses and four are microbusiness wholesale facility licenses. Prior to issuing the licenses, DCR conducted a review to determine whether applicants were eligible to receive a license.

The following applications were approved in Mid-Missouri:

• Frankenstein Enemy, LLC at 700 Vandiver Drive,  Columbia
• Cannarooted LLC at 206 East Texas Ave. in Columbia
• Garrett Endeavors, LLC at 11530 Twitty Drive, Rolla (Phelps County)
• Smugglers Din at 131 Main Street in Rothville (Chariton County)
• Lea Yohe Cannabis Micro Grow at 14313 Monroe Road 921 in Madison (Monroe County)

According to Cannabis.Mo.Gov, applicants for a microbusiness license needed to meet each of following criteria:

• Have a net worth of less than $250,000 and have had an income below 250% of the federal poverty level, or successor level, for at least three of the 10 calendar years prior to applying for a marijuana microbusiness facility license; or
• Have a valid service-connected disability card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or successor agency; or
• Be a person who has been, or a person whose parent, guardian or spouse has been arrested for, prosecuted for, or convicted of a non-violent marijuana offense, except for a conviction involving provision of marijuana to a minor, or a conviction of driving under the influence of marijuana. The arrest, charge, or conviction must have occurred at least one year prior to the effective date of this section; or
• Reside in a ZIP code or census tract area where:
  • Thirty percent or more of the population lives below the federal poverty level; or
  • The rate of unemployment is 50% higher than the state average rate of unemployment; or
  • The historic rate of incarceration for marijuana-related offenses is 50% higher than the rate for the entire state; or
• Graduated from a school district that was unaccredited, or had a similar successor designation, at the time of graduation, or has lived in a zip code containing an unaccredited school district, or similar successor designation, for three of the past five years.

According to the release, applicants not chosen are eligible for a refund, which must be requested by submitting a microbusiness application refund request form. Requests for a refund will be accepted beginning Thursday, Nov. 2.