On Feb. 3, recreational cannabis became available for purchase across Missouri following its legalization in December 2022.

In a roll-out process occurring three days earlier than initially planned, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) began finalizing licenses for medical cannabis dispensaries to include recreational sales on Friday morning. By the end of the day, recreational cannabis accounted for over $3 million in sales, according to the DHSS.

On Dec, 8, 2022, Missouri joined 20 other states as recreational cannabis was legalized for adult-use and possession. The ballot measure, Amendment 3, was approved by Missouri voters on Nov. 8, 2022 with a majority vote of 53%.

As of now, the DHSS intends to regulate medical and recreational sales separately with different stipulations applicable to dispensaries and consumers accordingly. Adults over the age of 21 without a medical license can expect to pay 6% in state taxes — in addition to local taxes — when purchasing recreational cannabis. Further, recreational consumers are allowed to both purchase and possess no more than three ounces of cannabis at a time.

With the legalization of recreational use and sales, Missouri implemented several changes to its medical program. Currently, adults over the age of 18 holding a patient ID card are allowed to purchase up to six ounces of cannabis within a 30-day period as a standard and can expect to pay 4% in taxes.

The DHSS also opened applications for personal cultivation  on Feb. 3. With a license for personal cultivation, adults over the age of 21 are permitted to grow up to 18 cannabis plants in an enclosed space upon a private residence: a maximum of six flowering cannabis plants, six non-flowering plants greater than 14 inches in height, and six non-flowering plants up to 14 inches in height.

A complete list of recreational dispensaries in Missouri is available via the DHSS.