The formation of the Missouri Cannabis Regulatory Collaborative, announced Tuesday, gives operators of cannabis-related businesses in Missouri a new way to share ideas.
The collaborative seeks to foster discussion among individuals across the state with various levels of experience in the cannabis industry, regardless of the size or type of business. Applicants who wish to apply must hold an ownership or leadership position in a licensed cannabis business.
Topics that may be discussed in the collaborative include the possible federal reclassification of marijuana as a less dangerous drug, changes to the Farm Bill and other issues related to Missouri's cannabis market.
The initiative was born out of feedback from licensees, who wanted more opportunities to share ideas with regulators and provide input on the state's cannabis industry.
“We decided that by forming this collaborative relationship, it really provides an opportunity for licensees and regulators to work together, strengthen relationships, work together to solve problems, share information and knowledge and pursue the common goal of having a successful cannabis program,” said Tara McKinney, public affairs director for the Division of Cannabis Regulation.
Officials from the Bureau of Cannabis Regulation and the Department of Health and Senior Services will review the applications and select participants. The cooperative will have a maximum of 30 members.
Members will serve two-year terms and will attend up to two in-person workshops in Jefferson City, six virtual meetings per year, and participate in other work between meetings as needed.
McKinney said there is no specific timeline yet for the collaboration process, but he hopes the first meetings will take place in late summer.
The application period opened on Tuesday and will run through June 18. The Bureau of Cannabis Regulation has shared additional information about the program and the application form online.
This story begins: Missouri Business AlertMember of the KC Media Collective.
