Missouri Proposes Rules For Marijuana License Review, Public Company Ownership And Research
These proposals are part of a broader regulatory update
Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) has proposed a set of rule changes that would introduce annual ownership reviews for marijuana licenses, permit publicly traded companies to hold licenses, and create standalone research-only licenses. The ownership reviews aim to improve transparency and prevent undisclosed management changes, while the public company provision could open the door for broader investment and potentially more robust operations in the state’s cannabis industry. The research license category is designed to give universities, medical researchers, and other qualified entities a clearer pathway to conduct cannabis studies without being tied to retail or cultivation operations.
These proposals are part of a broader regulatory update intended to strengthen oversight and encourage industry growth. By combining stricter accountability measures with expanded participation opportunities, the DCR hopes to balance market access with consumer protection and research advancement. Public comments on the proposed changes are open until August 21, after which the agency will move toward formal rulemaking.
