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For Immediate Release:
Oct. 15, 2026
Media Contact:
Lisa Cox, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
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JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR), in conjunction with Cannabis Public Policy Consulting LLC (CPPC), has published the Missouri Cannabis Market Study: Phase 1 Report. CPPC was contracted to conduct this study on behalf of DCR, as Phase 1 of a two-part Missouri cannabis market and economic impact study. The Economic Impact Study: Phase 2 Report will be published later this year.
Article XIV, Section 2.4(2) of the Missouri Constitution tasks DCR with lifting or easing limits on the number of licenses issued, “to meet the demand for marijuana in the state and to ensure a competitive market while also preventing an over-concentration of marijuana facilities within the boundaries of any local government.” The goal of the market study was to evaluate cannabis consumer behaviors and purchasing patterns in the state, to assess how the market is capturing cannabis demand, and to assess the concentration of facilities in order to inform DCR’s decision-making regarding lifting or easing limits on licenses issued.
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93% of cannabis purchases in Missouri occur in a regulated dispensary, with regulated dispensaries capturing more than 90% of cannabis purchases in every congressional district.
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Sales are evenly distributed among retail locations both at the state level and within congressional districts.
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Cultivation and manufacturing facilities’ transfer activities show signs of stabilization after the addition of new licenses in 2023, with no evidence that transfer activity was excessively concentrated among facilities.
Overall, CPPC found Missouri’s market to be relatively stable, successfully capturing cannabis demand in the state. The study indicates it is not necessary at this time to issue additional licenses and that continued monitoring of the market is advisable.
"Given the data outlined in this study, along with the many ongoing state and federal changes impacting cannabis markets — including Missouri’s upcoming rollout of a substantial number of new microbusiness licenses — DCR will take a fresh look at Missouri’s market in the years ahead. We’ll be keeping a close eye on key market indicators and other developments to determine the right timing and scope for that future re‑evaluation," states Amy Moore, DCR Director. “While this study did not include all factors related to market evaluations, such as ownership data, DCR intends to include this information as recommended by CPPC in future studies to assist with more comprehensive market monitoring.”
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