Operators of cannabis businesses in Missouri now have the opportunity to collaborate in a new way through the Missouri Cannabis Regulation Collaborative. This initiative, announced on Tuesday, aims to facilitate discussions among individuals from the cannabis industry, regardless of the size or type of their business. Applicants must hold ownership or leadership roles within licensed cannabis businesses to participate in the collaborative.
The topics that may be explored in the collaborative include the potential federal rescheduling of marijuana as a less risky drug, revisions to the Farm Bill, and other subjects relevant to the cannabis market in Missouri. The idea for this initiative stemmed from feedback received from licensees who expressed a desire for more opportunities to communicate with regulators and provide input on the industry in the state.
The Division of Cannabis Regulation and the Department of Health and Senior Services will be reviewing applications and selecting participants for the collaborative. A maximum of 30 members will be chosen to serve two-year terms, attend in-person workshops in Jefferson City, participate in virtual meetings, and engage in work between meetings as required.
Although there is no set timeline for the formation of the collaborative, Tara McKinney, the public outreach director with the Division of Cannabis Regulation, hopes that the group will have its first meeting in late summer. The application period opened on Tuesday and will remain open until June 18. Additional information about the program and the application process can be found on the Division of Cannabis Regulation website.
This article was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the KC Media Collective.