Missouri

Missouri awards second round of marijuana microbusiness licenses, 5 in Springfield

Published

2 years ago

July 26, 2024

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.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 3, 2026

Published

6 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing

Midday: 5-8-9

Midday Wild: 8

Evening: 8-8-2

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing

Midday: 0-3-5-7

Midday Wild: 2

Evening: 0-9-9-5

Evening Wild: 6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 3 drawing

Early Bird: 13

Morning: 15

Matinee: 09

Prime Time: 14

Night Owl: 14

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 3 drawing

04-07-09-17-21

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Missouri

Missouri auditor to probe St. Louis arts funder after whistleblower complaint

Published

18 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Missouri auditor to probe St. Louis arts funder after whistleblower complaint

Missouri state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has launched a review of the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis’ finances.

The audit is in response to complaints from a whistleblower who alerted the office to possible misuse of funds, Fitzpatrick said Tuesday. The auditor’s office then reviewed documents provided by RAC during an initial investigation before launching a full audit.

“We have verified the veracity of the whistleblower complaint, and have seen with our own eyes at this point records that give us enough concern that we want to proceed with an audit,” Fitzpatrick said.

The auditor’s report could be released late this year or in early 2027, he added. It would then be up to state and local authorities to follow up on any potential misconduct.

In an unsigned statement, RAC said it receives an annual audit from a firm selected by the offices of the St. Louis mayor and St. Louis County executive and that it shares the results publicly. “[We] are confident the findings from the state will mirror the success we have come to expect at the local level,” the statement says.

“We welcome the opportunity to provide documentation and context regarding our financial practices and grantmaking processes. As always, RAC will continue to focus on serving the St. Louis region’s arts and cultural community and maintaining the public’s trust,” the statement adds.

Potential issues identified in the state auditor’s initial investigation include the possibilities that RAC’s administrative expenses exceed what is allowed by statute, that leaders issued bonuses disallowed by the state constitution and that large grants were issued with no follow-up to ensure the money was used properly.

Fitzpatrick said his actions are not related to the commission’s choice of grant recipients.

Changes to the grant process

RAC distributes annual grants to arts organizations in St. Louis and St. Louis County. It is funded by a tax on hotel and motel stays. The commission distributed $3.7 million last year.

The organization suspended grant applications for fiscal 2026 due to “continuing financial volatility” and a new five-year plan, according to a note on its website. It will use applications received in 2025 as a guide for its 2026 grants.

Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis

Vanessa Cooksey took leadership of the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis in 2021.

“This pause allows RAC to support eligible and high-scoring 2025 grantees and applicants while navigating financial challenges and planning for a stronger, more sustainable grant program in the future,” the note says.

RAC publishes a list of its annual grants online.

Vanessa Cooksey became president and CEO of the organization in 2020 after it spent a year without a permanent leader. Previous chief Felicia Shaw had stepped down in November 2019. Neither Shaw nor RAC provided a public explanation for Shaw’s departure.

Some smaller organizations had complained that during Shaw’s tenure they stopped receiving annual grants.

The Regional Arts Commission had a $13.4 million budget in 2024, according to tax documents. Cooksey received a $196,253 salary and $28,652 in additional compensation.

Continuing a process begun by Shaw, Cooksey oversaw changes to grant applications that she said were meant to simplify the process – including removing a longstanding split between its funding mechanisms for large and small organizations.

A key arts funder after the coronavirus pandemic

In November 2022, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to direct $10.6 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to RAC. A measure that would have allocated another $1.6 million failed to pass the St. Louis County Council, so RAC was statutorily required to distribute ARPA funds only to groups based in St. Louis.

RAC has distributed $9.5 million of the ARPA money so far, funding 195 individual artists and 75 organizations.

Arts leaders said in 2022 that the sector supports more than 19,000 jobs and generates nearly $600 million a year – more than all local sports franchises combined.

The federal money was a boon to St. Louis artists and arts organizations following a steep decrease in funding at the height of the coronavirus pandemic due to decreased tourism in the region.

Tax revenues earmarked for RAC decreased from $9.5 million in fiscal 2019 to $2.8 million the next year. Tax revenue directed to RAC have increased but still lag behind the pre-pandemic total. The commission reported $7.5 million in tax revenue received in fiscal 2024.

RAC presented a new five-year plan with much fanfare in March 2020 but had little initial opportunity to implement it. Not long after, St. Louis officials put limits on public gatherings to tamp down spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Commission officials released a new five-year strategic roadmap in December 2025.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 2, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 2, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 2 drawing

02-17-18-38-62, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 2 drawing

Midday: 3-3-4

Midday Wild: 2

Evening: 4-8-9

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 2 drawing

Midday: 6-4-2-2

Midday Wild: 5

Evening: 2-8-2-4

Evening Wild: 1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 2 drawing

Early Bird: 08

Morning: 12

Matinee: 05

Prime Time: 04

Night Owl: 02

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 2 drawing

13-17-18-23-28

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 2 drawing

21-28-58-65-67, Powerball: 25

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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