Marijuana microbusiness license applications open next month. Are you eligible?

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader
·5 min read
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Ahead of the application period for marijuana microbusiness licenses that starts next month, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has released more information on applicant eligibility.

DHSS announced earlier this year that the application period for microbusiness licenses will start early and be open from July 27 through Aug. 10.

Under Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution, which legalizes recreational marijuana, a microbusiness license applicant must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Has a net worth less than $250,000 and an income below 250% of the federal poverty level;

  • Has a valid service-connected disability card issued by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs;

  • Is someone who has been, or whose parent or guardian has been arrested, prosecuted or convicted of a non-violent marijuana offense;

  • Resides in a ZIP code or census tract where 30% or more of the population lives below the federal poverty level, the unemployment rate is 50% higher than the state average or the historic rate of incarceration for marijuana-related offenses is 50% higher than the state average; or

  • Graduated from an unaccredited school district or lived in a ZIP code with an unaccredited school.

Over the last week, the DHSS has published the Missouri ZIP codes outlined in the article, including several in Greene County.

ZIP codes with high rates of poverty, unemployment

Data for ZIP codes where 30% or more of a population lives below the federal poverty level and the unemployment rate is 50% higher than the state average was pulled from the most recent American Community Survey for 2016-2021, according to the DHSS.

Seventy-two Missouri ZIP codes represent populations where 30% or more of the residents live below the federal poverty level. Based on the most recent data from the American Community Survey, the federal poverty level for one individual in 2021 was $12,880, according to HealthCare.gov.

As for Missouri ZIP codes that represent populations where the unemployment rate is 50% higher than the state average, there are 201. Missouri's unemployment rate in 2021 was 3.1%.

Two Greene County ZIP codes fall into both of these categories: 65806 and 65879. The 65806 ZIP code represents most of Springfield's Center City and the 65897 ZIP code is representative of Missouri State University.

ZIP codes with high rates of incarceration for marijuana-related offenses

The DHSS published a list of 121 ZIP codes in the state where the historic rate of incarceration for marijuana-related offenses is 50% higher than the state average. According to the DHSS, this data was obtained from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Three Greene County ZIP codes fall under this criteria: 65801, 65802 and 65805.

The 65801 and 65805 ZIP codes represent the United States Postal Service at 500 W. Chestnut Expressway. All of the PO Boxes at this post office are either addressed with the 65801 or 65805 ZIP codes. These two Greene County ZIP codes are not the only ones in the list of 121 that represent post offices.

DHSS Communications Director Lisa Cox said these small ZIP codes are included because they are part of a census tract area. The department does not have the authority to exclude these ZIP codes that qualify under Article XIV. Cox added that the department will be taking a "deeper dive" into outlining this process soon.

The 65802 ZIP code represents a region about 16 miles in radius that includes an area in Greene County west of city limits before tracking east across north Springfield in a band that runs north and south of Chestnut Expressway.

More: Missouri marijuana dispensaries experience 'dramatic increase' in out-of-state customers

Following the DHSS' publication of the 121 ZIP codes chosen, the St. Louis City NAACP and other NAACP leaders expressed their frustration, as they believe the ZIP codes chosen in the St. Louis region are unrepresentative of the Black community.

According to reporting by the Missouri Independent, nine of the 121 ZIP codes are in the St. Louis region and none are in North St. Louis, where half of Missouri's Black population lives. Last month, St. Louis NAACP President Adolphus Pruitt sent a letter to the DHSS requesting an "immediate correction."

The News-Leader reached out to NAACP of Springfield President Kai Sutton for comment on the ZIP codes chosen in the southwest Missouri region but did not hear back by press deadline.

What documentation is required to apply for a marijuana microbusiness license?

The required documentation for a valid marijuana microbusiness license application varies for each eligibility criteria. A full list of application requirements can be found on the DHSS website at bit.ly/3oVS6NH.

In addition to submitting the necessary documentation, an applicant must establish a physical facility to conduct business in before submitting an application.

All applicants must pay a $1,500 application fee. Fees will be refunded to those not chosen by the Missouri Lottery system no later than six months after the date of denial.

Following the closure of the application period in August, DHSS will issue 48 microbusiness licenses via random lottery drawing — six in each of the state's eight congressional districts. The Missouri Lottery will conduct the drawing using software that produces random results.

Nine months after the first 48 licenses are distributed, another round of 48 will be awarded. Then, in another nine months, a third round of 48 licenses will be. By April 2025, 144 microbusiness licenses will have been awarded.

Applicants denied during the initial lottery system will be eligible to re-apply in the future.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: DHSS releases details about marijuana microbusiness eligibility