Missouri has launched medical marijuana sales in the state, with the first licensed marijuana dispensaries opening over the weekend in St. Louis County.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services or DHSS said on Saturday that the first legal sales of medical marijuana in Missouri occurred between a Missouri-licensed dispensary and qualified patients and caregivers.
The medical marijuana market launch comes two years after Missouri voters approved an amendment to the state constitution to allow the sale of medical marijuana.
"Missouri patients have always been our north star as we work to implement the state's medical marijuana program. We greatly appreciate how hard everyone has worked so that patients can begin accessing a safe and well-regulated program," said Dr. Randall Williams, Director of DHSS said in a statement.
The first dispensaries that opened in St. Louis County are the N'Bliss stores located in Ellisville and Manchester. These two retail outlets are the first medical marijuana dispensaries approved to operate in Missouri.
The DHSS expects most of the state's 192 approved dispensaries to be open by the end of the year.
The sale of medical marijuana will be to patients with a valid state medical marijuana card. Missouri has approved 65,000 medical marijuana patients, while another 12,000 are awaiting approval.
The DHSS has earlier said it plans to issue 192 dispensary licenses, 60 cultivation licenses, 86 manufacturing licenses and 10 testing laboratory licenses in the state.
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