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For Immediate Release:
Sept. 9, 2026
Media Contact: Lisa Cox
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Media Inquiry Form
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Today, Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) posted the results of the random lottery drawing of microbusiness license applicants. This is the third of three separate rounds of microbusiness licenses to be awarded, per Article XIV, Section 2 of the Missouri Constitution.
To ensure the integrity of the applicant selection process, the Missouri Lottery conducted the drawing without reference to applicants' identities. Unique identifiers were assigned to each application, and each applicant was emailed their identifier prior to the lottery.
At this time, detailed information regarding applicants drawn by lottery is not publicly available. DCR will be working to cross-reference this information with submitted application information in order to make those details publicly available in the coming weeks.
DCR received 888 applications between July 13-27. Now that applicants have been selected through the lottery, all selected applications will be reviewed for eligibility. The lottery selection does not guarantee the applicant a facility license. Beginning in December of this year, a total of approximately 77 microbusiness licenses will be issued, approximately 20 of which are available due to revocations for rule violations or surrender following previous rounds of licensing.
Applicants not drawn by lottery will be able to request a refund of the original application fee. Refunds may be granted if the applicant certifies they have met the criteria for a license and have no pending or future litigation related to the denial of their application. The refund request form will be available on the department website 30 days after all microbusiness licenses have been issued from the third round.
For more information about microbusiness licensing and application requirements, visit Cannabis.Mo.Gov.
General Consumer Safety & Education
While the adult-use cannabis program was built based on guidelines approved by Missouri voters, DHSS, as the state’s public health authority, asks consumers to consume cannabis with caution. Adult consumers are encouraged to review the health effects of cannabis prior to consuming. Some important points of caution include the following:
- Individuals should not use cannabis if pregnant as doing so may harm the baby’s health.
- Individuals should not operate a vehicle under the influence of marijuana. This remains illegal and dangerous as driving requires a person’s full attention to stay safe and alert. Marijuana can slow one’s reaction time and ability to make decisions, impair coordination and distort one’s perception.
- Adult consumers should ensure products are not accessible to those under age 21. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the teen brain is actively developing and continues to develop until around age 25. Marijuana use during adolescence and young adulthood may harm the developing brain.
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Edibles, or food and drink products infused with marijuana, have some different risks than smoked marijuana, including a greater risk of poisoning. Unlike smoked marijuana, edibles can:
- Take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to take effect, so some people may eat too much, which can lead to poisoning and/or serious injury.
- Cause intoxicating effects that last longer than expected, depending on the amount ingested, the last food eaten, and medications or alcohol used at the same time.
Children, adults and pets can mistake marijuana products, particularly edibles, for regular food or candy. Consuming marijuana can make children very sick. They may have problems walking or sitting up or may have a hard time breathing. If you have concerns of possible poisoning, call the Missouri Poison Center at 800-222-1222, or 911 if it is an emergency.
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