Last verified: March 2026

Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR)

The DCR within the Department of Health and Senior Services is the primary regulatory body for all cannabis businesses in Missouri.

Trade Associations

MoCannTrade

Type: Cannabis Trade Association (300+ members) | Executive Director: Andrew Mullins

Website: mocanntrade.org

MoCannTrade is Missouri's largest cannabis trade association, representing operators, ancillary businesses, and industry professionals across the supply chain. The organization provides legislative advocacy, compliance education, networking events, and policy development. MoCannTrade has been influential in shaping Missouri's cannabis regulations since the medical program launched.

Policy & Advocacy Organizations

Missouri NORML

Type: Policy Reform | Chair: Dan Viets

Website: missourinorml.org

Missouri's chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Dan Viets has been a leading figure in Missouri cannabis law for decades, including commentary on the Missouri Supreme Court's narrowing of expungement provisions.

New Approach Missouri / Legal Missouri 2022

Type: Ballot Initiative Campaign | Campaign Manager: John Payne

The organization behind Amendment 3 (2022), the constitutional amendment that legalized recreational cannabis. Legal Missouri 2022 was the campaign arm that successfully passed the amendment with 53% voter support.

Show-Me Cannabis

Type: Grassroots Advocacy

A grassroots organization that has advocated for cannabis reform in Missouri for over a decade, focusing on public education and legislative engagement.

Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)

Type: National Policy Organization

Website: mpp.org

MPP played a role in supporting Missouri's legalization efforts and continues to advocate for cannabis policy reform nationwide.

Regional NORML Chapters

• Greater St. Louis NORML — focused on the STL metro area
• Northwest Missouri NORML — covering the KC region and NW Missouri

Industry Media

Greenway Magazine

Website: mogreenway.com

Missouri's premier cannabis industry publication. Greenway Magazine covers market trends, regulatory updates, dispensary openings, brand profiles, and maintains a comprehensive events calendar for Missouri cannabis.

Patients Magazine

Focused on the medical cannabis community, providing patient-oriented content, condition-specific guidance, and medical program updates.

Missouri Independent

Website: missouriindependent.com

While not cannabis-specific, the Missouri Independent has provided some of the most thorough investigative reporting on the state's cannabis program, particularly on the microbusiness program crisis, expungement challenges, and legislative battles.

Key Business Considerations

• Federal 280E: Cannabis businesses cannot deduct standard business expenses on federal tax returns, significantly increasing effective tax rates. Work with a cannabis-specialized accountant.
• Banking: Federal restrictions mean many banks will not serve cannabis businesses. Missouri has seen some progress with state-chartered banks and credit unions.
• Compliance: Metrc seed-to-sale tracking, security requirements, lab testing, and ongoing DCR reporting create significant compliance overhead.
• Insurance: Cannabis-specific insurance is required and can be expensive. Standard business policies typically exclude cannabis operations.
• Legal counsel: Retain an attorney who specializes in Missouri cannabis law and is independent of any business partners.

Key Legislation

• Amendment 2 (2018) — Legalized medical cannabis with 65.5% voter approval
• Amendment 3 (2022) — Legalized recreational cannabis with 53% voter approval. Constitutional protection. Created microbusiness program and automatic expungement.
• See Recent Legislation for current bills under consideration.