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Certain medical marijuana products have been taken out of circulation in Missouri dispensaries. These items, which originated from two Missouri-based growers, have been yanked from shelves while officials conduct an investigation.
This red tape may seem like a thorn in the side of business owners, but it is actually good news for Missouri residents with a medical marijuana card. It means state regulators are taking care of cannabis patients, ensuring that all cannabis products meet the state’s quality and safety standards - something that doesn’t exist on the black market.
How Long Will The Investigation Last?
The short answer to this question is that we don’t know. There is no set timeline on when these products may return to circulation, and investigators have yet to reveal the specifics of why these products were pulled.
One thing is for sure, facility operators want to get up and running again, but they want to do it the right way. In an interview with KMOV4 in St. Louis, cultivator John Frank stated “Speed is not the main factor, it's doing it right the first time and making sure we stay compliant and doing it right from a growing standpoint."
Medical marijuana is big business in Missouri, bringing in around 140 million dollars in its first year of operation. When a growing facility shuts down, business owners lose revenue to competitors who continue to rise in numbers across the state.
Regulations Protect Consumers
Although revenue continues to grow in the Show-Me-State, many had their doubts about the success of the cannabis industry. There was a gap of about two years from the moment medical marijuana was legalized in Missouri in 2018 to the moment the state’s first dispensary opened its doors in 2020.
Part of the reason for this delay is that the state of Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services has strict safety and quality protocols that must be met in order for a marijuana business license to be granted, whether as a grower, cultivator, or distributor.
These regulations protect medical marijuana customers in a way that is unprecedented. For years, Missouri residents seeking the relief that cannabis provides had to either travel to a state where medical marijuana has been legalized, or break the law by purchasing cannabis on the black market.
Cannabis that is purchased illegally has no safety or quality regulations, leaving consumers at risk for added ingredients, mold, or other issues that can have dire consequences. Now that medical marijuana is legal, cannabis patients can rest easy knowing the state of Missouri is looking out for their best interests. Products that don’t make the grade aren’t going to be allowed to remain in circulation.
How Are Complaints Reported
The state of Missouri wants to make sure residents can report any complaints to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. They take these complaints seriously, and are committed to making sure Missouri growing facilities, physicians, and home cultivators are following the guidelines that ensure the safety of cannabis patients and the quality of marijuana products.
Medical marijuana patients or employees in the cannabis field, can report a violation of state guidelines, by submitting a marijuana complaint form and emailing it to mmcomplaints@health.mo.gov.
Relief You Can Depend On
With the state of Missouri’s strict regulations, patients can rest easy knowing their cannabis will come from facilities that meet the state’s quality and safety standards.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of medical marijuana, but don’t have your card yet, our doctors are standing by to help. CLICK HERE to schedule a medical marijuana appointment, or give us a call at (877) 303-3117 to talk to a patient support representative.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Missouri Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (877) 303-3117, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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