Missouri posts record numbers after voters legalize recreational marijuana
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri is on track to set a record for cannabis sales in the United States.
Sales skyrocketed after weed was legalized in Missouri and people were allowed to buy the drug from pharmacies.
“Pretty unbelievable that we would see this kind of sales in Missouri,” said Tony Patton, co-founder of Fresh Karma Dispensaries.
Missouri is on track to become the fastest state to hit $1 billion in cannabis sales. Pharmacies like Fresh Karma believe so, having posted strong sales of their own over the past month.
“If we had to guess, I’d say sales in the state would continue to grow,” Patton said.
Since adult use became legal in Missouri and pharmacies were able to sell starting February 3, 2023, he said business is booming.
“We were expecting two to three times the sales,” Patton said. “And we’re seeing about five times the sales.”
He expects even more growth and more greenery in the coming months.
A look at total cannabis sales in Missouri in February shows $31.2 million for medical use and $71.7 million for adult use. That’s almost 103 million total in the first month. That means more than $1 billion in annual sales and could set a new record in the US
“It was phenomenal,” said Patton.
Travis Andrews is a frequent flyer. The high numbers do not surprise him.
“People have heard about it. It’s legal now,” Andrews said, “‘I can try it now, even as a hobby, maybe it’s for me, maybe it’s not’.”
Patton said they had to hire more staff to keep up with demand.
They saw an increase in sales followed by a slight decline during the Super Bowl and the Chiefs’ Victory Day Parade. But they’re expecting crowds for the NFL draft and the NCAA tournament — both in Kansas City, Missouri.
“A great influx of people from the state and from the state coming to Kansas City for these events,” Patton said, “sales that we hope to be able to meet demand. We are preparing for these increased sales with additional staffing.”
Even after the events, pharmacies expect these high sales figures to continue.
https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/missouri-seeing-record-numbers-after-voters-make-recreational-marijuana-legal/ Missouri posts record numbers after voters legalize recreational marijuana
