Missouri
Missouri awards second round of marijuana microbusiness licenses, 5 in Springfield
The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation issued 57 marijuana microbusiness licenses in the second round of applications. A minimum of six licenses were awarded within each of the state’s eight congressional districts. Per district, two licenses are for microbusiness dispensaries and four are for microbusiness wholesale facilities. In this round, an additional nine licenses were awarded due to the revocation of round one awardees for rule violations, including one in Springfield.
More than 2,000 applications were filed during the April 15-29 application period, according to a Department of Health and Senior Services news release. A microbusiness license allows licensees to operate on a smaller scale than medical or comprehensive licenses and the majority owner must meet certain criteria. The license is designed to provide a path to facility ownership for those for whom that opportunity may not be as easily accessible.
In the 7th District, which represents the southwest corner of the state, all three dispensary licenses were awarded in Springfield, two to individuals and one to Virgo Vermilio. With this type of license, these entities can process, package, deliver and sell marijuana and marijuana products to other microbusiness facilities and consumers.
For both of the individual licenses, John Payne, who was the campaign manager for Legal Missouri 2022 backing the legalization of marijuana in the state, is listed as the designated contact. Both of these license applications also list 1612 N. Lexington Ave. in northeast Springfield as the address, per DHSS lottery results. According to the Heyle Realtors website, this space is available to lease and was the former office and lab for the nearby railroad.
The address listed on the Virgo Vermilio’s application is 1770 W. Sunset St., which is where BluCurrent Credit Union is located. A representative from BluCurrent said the bank had no knowledge of the address being listed on applications and is not affiliated with any marijuana businesses. The address was likely listed due it being advertised for lease for half of the building where BluCurrent is housed, according to the Jared Commercial & Management website.
While Virgo Vermilio does not show up in the Secretary of State business search, the designated contact for the application is Amanda Kilroe, an attorney with Michigan-based commercial marijuana real estate agency Canna Zoned MLS. Another application with Kilroe as the contact had its license revoked in Columbia for Frankenstein Enemy LLC due to failure to respond and provide documents requested by the DHSS.
Both Payne and Kilroe appear as the designated contacts for numerous applications, with both the Lexington and Sunset locations listed for several applications. According to past News-Leader reporting, just because the address is listed in the application, does not mean the dispensary must operate there. As long as it remains housed within the 7th District, it can be built elsewhere. All marijuana microbusiness applicants had to provide proposed facility locations, however, and these locations had to comply with location requirements outlined in the Missouri Constitution. Applicants also had to submit proposed blueprints of the entire facility.
Wholesale facilities awarded in Springfield
Two of the five wholesale facility licenses for the 7th District were awarded to applicants in Springfield. With this type of license, these four entities can grow up to 250 flowering plants and then process, manufacture and transport the products.
Braxton Jeske and Andrew Dean Bedell were both awarded the license. Per DHSS, the address listed on the Jeske’s application is 3244 E. Gasconade St., a home in southwest Springfield. According to the Secretary of State business search, Jeske has three active LLCs registered at this address. The address in Bedell’s application is 1612 N. Lexington Ave.
The other wholesale licenses awarded in the 7th District were to Sacred Smoke LLC in Seneca, Monsta Farms LLC in Sarcoxie and Fallout170 in Sarcoxie.
The 57 microbusiness licenses were selected by a random lottery conducted by the Missouri Lottery without reference to the identities of the applicants to ensure the “integrity” of the random drawing, according to the news release. Prior to issuing the licenses, DHSS conducted a review to determine whether applicants were eligible to receive a license.
What’s next?
Marijuana microbusiness license holders are required to be in operation within two years of their business license issuance, according to previous News-Leader reporting. Over the next 60 days, DHSS will review eligibility for all 57 entities in order to certify them.
Applicants not selected in the lottery may be eligible for a refund of their application fees. Refund requests will be accepted from Aug. 24 through Jan. 24, 2025. Each applicant had to pay $1,500 to apply.
Another 48 licenses will be issued during the third and final round of microbusiness applications in 2025.
More: Here’s why these Springfield, Columbia marijuana microbusiness licenses were revoked
Who received the remaining marijuana microbusiness licenses?
District 1 Dispensaries
- Millennium Retail LLC at 6934 Olive Blvd. in University City
- Green Oasis LLC at 322 Taylor Rd. in Hazelwood
- The Chronic Club LLC at 322 Taylor Rd. in Hazelwood
District 1 Wholesale Facilities
- Rare Breed Farms at 1283 Research Blvd. in St. Louis
- BlueMeanies at 1009 Locust St. in St. Louis
- Platinum Craft at 1009 Locust St. in St. Louis
- MicroLegacy at 1009 Locust St. in St. Louis
District 2 Dispensaries
- Euphoria Group LLC at 16590 Manchester Rd. in Wildwood
- Bug Stinging LLC at 3 Valley Park Rd. in Valley Park
- Pure Leaf Labs LLC at 16345 Westwoods Business Park in Ellisville
- Premium Pack LLC at 16345 Westwoods Business Park in Ellisville
District 2 Wholesale Facilities
- Clifton Cannabis LLC at 1291 N. Highway Dr. in Fenton
- Andrew Venne at 611 Trade Center Blvd. in Chesterfield
- Wolfie Dank Co. at 670 Goddard Ave. in Chesterfield
- Travis Dickens at 611 Trade Center Blvd. in Chesterfield
District 3 Dispensaries
- Both are individuals at 3990 Mexico Rd. in Saint Peters
District 3 Wholesale Facilities
- Twin Elephant at 6280 County Road 108 in Fulton
- Individual at 1664 Highway W in Elsberry
- DMS420 LLC at 7040B Highway HH in Catawissa
- Individual at 1664 S. Highway W in Elsberry
District 4 Dispensaries
- Potent Pals LLC at 501 W. Reed St. in Moberly
- Xylo Gleam LLC at 689 S. Monroe St. in Lebanon
- Divergent Dancers LLC at 689 S. Monroe St. in Lebanon
- High & Tight LLC at 900 E. Broadway in Columbia
District 4 Wholesale Facilities
- Lit Naturals LLC at 3421 State Route H in Fayette
- High Maintenance Farm LLC at 4509 Interstate 70 Dr. SE in Columbia
- Travis L Brown at 34651 Highway M in Edwards
- Marley at 19015 S. Mackie Lane in Hartsburg
District 5 Dispensaries
- KC Cultivators LLC at 1622-1624 Saint Louis Ave. in Kansas City
- Flower to the People at 13621 US-40 E. in Independence
- Farm Fantasies LLC at 3945 S. Bolger Rd. in Independence
District 5 Wholesale Facilities
- Drama Dunes LLC at 704 Squire Ct. in Grain Valley
- Cut the Grass LLC at 3690-3700 Main St. in Grandview
- Verdant Sun Journey LLC at 113 Shotwell St. in Richmond
- Cobalt Star Voyager LLC at 113 Shotwell St. in Richmond
- Infinite Luck LLC at 340 NW Capital Dr. in Lee’s Summit
District 6 Dispensaries
- Idyll Zone LLC at 119 S. Business Hwy 61 in Bowling Green
- BL Enterprises at 4797 Siena Dr. Unit B in Saint Joseph
- Captured Crescents LLC at 1403 N. Jesse James Rd. in Excelsior Springs
District 6 Wholesale Facilities
- Individual at 35475 in Taylor (While this is an incomplete address, DHSS Communications Director Lisa Cox said there is only so much required early on in the application process.)
- MB Doinks LLC at Pike 301 in Cyrenne
- Individual at 35475 300th St. in Taylor
- BK Doinks LLC Pike 301 in Cyrenne
District 8 Dispensaries
- Individual at 330 N. Creek Dr. in Festus
- Individual at 333 Leroux Dr. in Doniphan
District 8 Wholesale Facilities
- Dorris Cultivating & Wholesale at 1166 Wayne Route EE in Silva
- Andrew L Hoover at 16565 Highway BB in Licking
- LL Wirtz LLC at 3602 Highway K in Bonne Terre
- Baca Cultivating & Wholesale at 1166 Wayne Route EE in Silva
Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.
ST. LOUIS (First Alert 4) — Missouri Republican lawmakers have once again put forth efforts to curtail the process for citizen-led ballot initiatives following successful campaigns to enshrine abortion rights, raise the state’s minimum wage, and create a legal sports wagering market.
In response, a newly formed political group called the “Respect Voters Coalition” is sponsoring a 2026 initiative to prevent state officials from meddling in the process altogether.
The group’s argument is rooted in the very first section of the first article of the state’s Constitution, which reads as follows:
“[We declare] that all political power is vested in and derived from the people; that all government of right originates from the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole.” – Missouri Const. of 1875, Art. I, Sec. 1.
Ben Singer, who leads Show Me Integrity, co-founded RVC as a measure to push back against efforts to roll back the IP process which, he noted, have been pushed by both parties when they’ve been in the majority.
“When Democrats were trying to attack the citizens initiative process because they didn’t like the Conservatives also used the citizens initiative process, Governor Ashcroft vetoed the Democrats’ attack on the ballot initiative process,” Singer said.
Ashcroft issued that veto in June 1992, writing the following in his explanation:
“It is through the initiative process that those who have no influence with elective representatives may take their cause directly to the people. The General Assembly should be reluctant, therefore, to enact legislation which places any impediments on the initiative power which are inconsistent with the reservation found in the Constitution.” – Gov. John Ashcroft, Veto Message, June 27, 1992.
Efforts to reform the state’s initiative petition process consumed much of the 2024 legislative session, including days-long filibusters by a faction of six Republicans demanding the issue be given priority and Democrats working to block it from passage. The process arguably deprived the House and Senate of sufficient time to perform a final review and amendment of the $51 billion state budget.
“These politicians who’ve taken an oath to protect the Missouri Constitution need to be reminded of that, and so that’s why groups and citizens across the state, in unbelievable momentum I’ve never seen before, are banding together to say enough is enough, and we are going to stop politicians from attacking the will of the people once and for all,” Singer said.
The Missouri House and Senate are set to convene on January 8 to begin the First Regular Session of the 103rd General Assembly.
Copyright 2024 KMOV. All rights reserved.
Missouri and Iowa meet in the Music City Bowl, the standalone game on December 30th bowl coverage.
Both teams ended their respective regular season with rivalry game victories in the final moments and will look for a bowl win to build momentum towards the future. In a closely lined spread, and some key players opting out, how should we bet this one?
We have you covered with our Music City Bowl betting preview below!
Spread
Moneyline
Total: 40.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Missouri
Brady Cook: This will be Cook’s final game with the Tigers after he returned from a mid-season injury to lead the Tigers to late-season wins against the likes of Arkansas in the team’s regular-season finale. While it wasn’t as productive as the year prior, Cook put up solid numbers this season for Mizzou, passing for 2,248 yards with 14 total touchdowns and only two interceptions.
Iowa
Brendan Sullivan: The hope is that Sullivan is back from injury for this one, the team’s primary backup that showed some upside in the Hawkeyes offense in wins against Northwestern and Wisconsin. Overall, this is a run-first Iowa offense that will be without star running back Kaleb Johnson, putting more pressure on Sullivan as a runner and to create with his arm. He completed more than 68% of his passes in a limited sample this season (35 passes).
There are two notable players out in this game with NFL upside, one for each team.
For Missouri, Luther Burden opted out of this game to prepare for the NFL Draft, which is a blow to the Tigers’ offense, but not as impactful as Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, who was sixth in the country in rushing yards this season.
Johnson was a big part of the Hawkeyes offense that was 93rd in the country in EPA/Pass and 85th in overall success rate. Without the threat of the standout running back on the field, Iowa will rely solely on its defense to stay competitive in this game.
With that in mind, I’ll lay it with the small favorite in Missouri.
While the Tigers fell short of lofty goals set by a strong 2023, the team still has a versatile offense that includes a sturdy run game and a consistent unit that ranked top 50 in success rate. Further, the team can keep up with Iowa in the battle for field position as it ranks top 10 in havoc allowed and is 11th in Pro Football Focus’ special teams grade.
I question how Iowa puts up many points on the board in this one and while the under looks like a worthwhile bet, I’d rather side with the Tigers to win this game by more than a field goal.
PICK: Missouri -3
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Follow Reed on Twitter @ReedWallach and get all his college football bets on betstamp @rw33
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Missouri
Ex-convict pardoned by Missouri governor, wants to continue helping former prisoners get fresh start
KANSAS CITY, Mo — The new year is less than two weeks away and a community advocate is already celebrating.
Kevin Morgan, founder of Sent1One Ministries and Lean on Me Ministries, got a pardon from Missouri Gov. Mike Parson this summer.
He’s been keeping the news private to think about how he wants to make a difference.
Morgan spent nine years on supervised probation for drug crimes.
KSHB 41
For the past 11 years, he’s been hoping to get another chance, but the journey there took a lot of work.
He had three cases involving drug possession and drug trafficking but could only pick one to be expunged.
“They said, ‘Hey, in the state of Missouri, you are only allowed one felony to be expunged a lifetime,” Morgan said. “I knew I couldn’t die come back and get another one.”
Morgan spent seven months going through the process for a pardon.
According to the Missouri Department of Corrections, “a full pardon does not remove the conviction from the individual’s criminal record. A full pardon restores all rights of citizenship and removes any disqualification or punitive collateral consequence stemming from the conviction without conditions or restrictions.”
When he received the news that a pardon was granted in the mail, Morgan immediately gave thanks.
KSHB 41
“I just got on my knees, prayed and thanked God. I was in amazement. I told God he can have all of me,” he said.
Morgan’s life has always come down to choices.
Now, he’s chooses to continue being example for other men in the community.
“I’m not that person anymore,” Morgan said. “Whatever struggles I was dealing with then — that’s gone. I’m a new man.”
From here on, he wants to continue serving men through his ministries, work with the city on homeless initiatives and eventually create a pathway for other people to have their record expunged or pardoned.
“I can see myself in some of the people I serve so I want to get them to where I am,” he said.
—
KSHB 41 reporter Alyssa Jackson covers portions of Johnson County, including neighborhoods in Overland Park, Shawnee and Mission. Share your story idea with Alyssa.
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