The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation revoked the licenses of 25 micro-businesses of cannabis on April 14, 2025. They cited failures in meeting ownership and eligibility criteria. Following the October 2024 issuance of 32 Notices of Pending Revocations (NOPR), this action was taken in response to licensees who were awarded a July 2024 license. 7 licensees retained their licenses and met all requirements after the 30-day period for response. However, 24 licensees had to be revoked, as they failed to demonstrate that majority ownership was held by qualified individuals. One licensee’s license was also revoked, due a felony conviction.
Under Article XIV, the Missouri Constitution provides cannabis-related business opportunities for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The eligibility criteria includes having a minimum net worth of $250,000 or being a disabled veteran.
The DCR has now revoked 34 out of 96 microbusiness licences that were issued by the DCR since 2023, when the program was launched. Regulations are concerned about the predatory practice of well-connected investors who recruit individuals eligible to apply to licenses and then limit their profits by contractual agreements.
Amy Moore of DCR emphasized that the repeated cycles of license issuance, and then revocation, were unsustainable. She stated, “We are never going to be able build this market out fully” with the conditions we have today.