Missouri scored a whopping $102.9 million in cannabis sales last month, according to data released by the state’s Department of Health and Senior Services. Nearly $72 million of the total sales came from recreational cannabis, with the other roughly $31 million coming from medical sales.
Within hours of flipping the switch to recreational cannabis on Feb. 3, three days earlier than originally planned, Missouri’s 195 legal dispensaries had racked up over $12 million in combined sales revenue. The newly released total for February suggests consumer enthusiasm continued to be strong throughout the month.
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$4 million per day in February
“We’re really blown away by the amount of excitement here for adult-use cannabis,” Jack Cardetti, spokesman for the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, told Leafly. “To see this kind of sales money in the shortest month of the year, and considering rec had only 25 days and a soft launch, it’s a testament to our industry and regulators.”
Recreational cannabis sales, taxed at 6%, brought $4.3 million to state coffers last month while sales of medical weed, taxed at 4%, raised more than $1.2 million.
The state’s previous high for monthly marijuana sales was Dec. 2022, in which the medical-only industry topped $40 million for the first time. Missouri began medical sales in Oct. 2020 and averaged about $33 million in monthly sales revenue last year.
Few lines, plenty of supply
Cardetti, who represents the state’s largest weed lobby, credited Missouri’s existing infrastructure of medical facilities and lessons learned from nearly two dozen other adult-use states for February’s better-than-expected sales numbers. Hardly any Missouri dispensaries reported problems from long lines, supply issues, limited product selection and high prices, all of which have handcuffed other states in recent years.
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Missouri’s ‘opt out’ solution is a winner
And unlike many rec states that require counties and municipalities to “opt in” to adult-use sales, Missouri necessitates the opposite. In essence, everyone’s in unless local voters choose to formally reject cannabis sales. Cardetti said having most of its cities in the fold has offered people from across the state — and even neighboring states like Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas — nearby access to legal cannabis.
“We’ve heard of very, very few local governments that are looking to opt out,” Cardetti said. “And that’s one of the reasons our dispensaries are so evenly spread out.”
Surpassing expectations
Cannabis consultant John Payne served as the campaign manager for Legal Missouri 2022, which championed Amendment 3 to legalize possession of up to three ounces of cannabis flower or its equivalent in other weed produce for all adults age 21 and older. After years of monitoring the two dozen other states to pass rec before the Show-Me State, Payne’s team estimated that Missouri would land between $70 and $80 million in total sales during the first month of rec.
When news of the nearly $103 million tally reached his desk Friday, Payne was pleasantly surprised.
‘There was a lot of pent-up demand’
“I think there was a lot of pent-up demand,” he said. “A lot of people who qualify as patients in Missouri and would be interested in purchasing medical marijuana were hesitant at first because of potential conflicts with gun ownership laws. Rec does away with most of those concerns and I think many people now feel more comfortable with purchasing the plant.”
“To go just 87 days from passing Amendment 3 to making the first recreational cannabis sale was incredible, but to do $100 million in sales during a shortened month is spectacular,” he added. “We put in pretty aggressive timelines to get this program running and it’s been very successful so far, all things considered.”
Shorter days and darkened skies mean the sesh must move indoors—specifically, to the couch. But a riches of choice can lead to indecision, especially with a bowl packed nearby.
So we streamlined your viewing experience with 8 new seasons and shows paired with the strain that will bring out the best in them, from wilderness survival to anime to murder mystery.
Outlast Season 2
(Courtesy Netflix)
For Survivor fans who want higher stakes. Sixteen strangers dropped off in the Alaskan wilderness without food or water must form four teams. The goal? Outlast each other in this harsh landscape before racing to the end in the hopes of winning $1 million dollars. Season 1 saw some of the most tactical, emotionless game-playing I’ve ever seen from any of these wilderness reality shows. Season 2 returns with competitors who are already familiar with how the game is played and come armed with strategy. This is some popcorn-worthy reality television.
Pair with: Duct Tape. Regarded as one of the best strains to shut down your brain and when we’re talking about reality TV, which often repeats itself throughout an episode, you could use some forgetfulness and wonder.
All episodes streaming now on Netflix
Chimp Crazy
(Courtesy HBO)
A story of obsession, kidnapping, and subterfuge from Eric Goode, the producer who brought you Tiger King. This time he returns with a limited docu-series about people’s obsessions with owning Chimpanzees. A gripping ride that keeps you watching with a mix of surprise and confusion, this is more than just a rehashing of the theme. This time, you’ll follow Goode, a fake filmmaker and a real crew as they ride along with the self-proclaimed ‘Dolly Parton of the Chimp World.’ A second rare chance to see and hear what it’s like trying to raise exotic animals and the bizarre lengths people will go to keep them.
Pair with: Kush Mints. There are moments of movie suspense mixed with real-life danger to some of the people and animals featured in the movie. This helps you take in both sides to appreciate this documentary/heist movie.
All episodes streaming now on HBO MAX
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Featuring dope magic battles, this suggestion is one that comes to us from Ted over at Alien Labs. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is the 2023 anime adaptation of a popular Japanese manga series that has 22 million copies in circulation. The elven mage Frieren was part of an adventuring party that embarked on a 10-year quest to slay the Demon King. After their success, she’s left to deal with the vast years of life she has left to live during this era of peace. Upon the death of one of her companions, she’s struck by how short human lives are and sets out on a new quest to meet old and new companions and reunite with her fallen comrade at the resting place of souls.
Pair with: Papaya Punch to get the creativity going through the introduction and the body high to relax as you watch the whole thing. Back in 2021, Leafly recommended this for anime and 3 years later we stand by this choice.
Streaming now on Amazon Prime or Crunchyroll
Only Murders in the Building
Season 3 of this quirky Hulu murder mystery/comedy builds on the previous two seasons while only catching a mild case of callback fever. This time Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez are joined by another cast of big stars in a budget that will leave you wondering how this is on Hulu. Wholesome and easy to watch, this is an easy binge for people who are getting ripped around their family and need to draw attention away from themselves while still enjoying their high.
Pair with:Cap Junky, for a social high that gets you into the show and won’t leave the people around you wondering why you’re giggling to yourself in the corner.
Episodes 1-4 now streaming on Hulu
Dimension 20
Dropout TV is one of the best monthly subscriptions I have. A content hub for nerds and the nerdy-at-heart, one of their most popular programs is the live Dungeons & Dragons adventure Dimension 20. Comedian, Actor, and Gamemaster Brennan Lee Mulligan, along with a hilarious cast of comedians and improv actors create campaigns that seem as much fun to watch as they are to play. Beloved by a vast core group of fans, this year the show got even bigger when they sat down for a season with RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni, traveled for a live UK tour, and were mentioned in TIME magazine in an article on the rise of live D&D’s popularity.
Streaming now on Dropout TV
Pair with:Permanent Marker, which should keep you laughing through the brilliant improvisations but also give you the mental awareness to keep up with the actual gameplay if you’re a fan of tabletop gaming.
Into The Badlands
Originally an AMC show, Into The Badlands is set in a post-apocalyptic land where guns have disappeared and life is ruled by five cruel Barons who share the power in an uneasy alliance. The fighting is straight out of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. As with any TV show there are those filler episodes as they move the story along but just like Game of Thrones, this is a show that isn’t afraid to kill off major characters. There are three seasons to binge, and while the last one does start to go a little off the rails, it was canceled before they could start the fourth season so you’ll let it slide while you watch Nick Frost pummel bad guys using the martial arts he learned from monks who’ve learned to control a secret power.
Pair with:Blue Dream. You’ll have all the mental energy to understand this new world but be happy and relaxed enough to not realize you already flew through the whole first season.
All episodes currently available to stream on Netflix
The Penguin
Colin Farrell is damn near unrecognizable as small-time member of Gotham’s Falconi mob, Oz Cobb (we know, but DC Comics president Jim Lee himself signed off on the change). A character with less than 13 minutes on-screen in the 2022 Batman film, Farrell gives depth to the life of a gritty, mid-level mobster dipping his crooked toes into the comical darkness often found in the Gotham universe TV show. Tony Soprano comparisons aside, the acting here is great (especially from Cristin Milioti), and paints Farrell’s Penguin as a true anti-hero.
Episode 1 and 2 streaming now on HBO Max
Pair with:OG Kush for the perfect relaxing body buzz to turn off the lights and enjoy the gritty streets of Gotham. Plus, stay in the moment when it gets a little comedic.
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Uzumaki: Spiral Into Horror
After 5 years of delays, Uzumaki premieres with 4 episodes on September 28— you can guarantee people will be on the edge of their seats. Japanese horror master Junji Ito’s series gets an adaptation that follows the lives of two high schoolers living in the town of Kurouzu-cho. After a strange spiral curse starts affecting the town, they must find a way to make it out alive as things begin to take a turn towards the strange and horrible. Some hardcore fans are worried that the small number of episodes won’t fully convey the 600 page story but the trailer released by Adult Swim has everyone ready to turn off the lights and welcome October with an epic horror story.
Pair with: Purple Push Pop, to help keep you stuck to the couch throughout the insane imagery and possible jump scares.
Airs September 28 on Adult Swim
Coming Soon
SECRET LEVEL
From the creators of Love and Robots comes a whole new series inspired by the worlds of beloved video game franchises like Armored Core, Mega Man, and Warhammer. Fifteen different episodes based on original short stories will be available through Amazon starting in December.
ASIA by BBC
Who doesn’t love to lis ten to David Attenborough, especially when you’re high. Sir David & the BBC make history yet again with its first nature documentary focused solely on Asia. Seven, one-hour episodes will have you following Rhinos in Nepal, Elephants in Sri Lanka, and sea snakes swimming along the Pacific Ocean.
Read on to learn how legalization in Ohio could unfold. We encourage readers to consider that the state’s legislature reserves the right to modify (or even repeal) the measure; any and all of these provisions could easily change.
When will it be legal to possess weed in Ohio?
The law will “become effective” 30 days after passage. That date will likely apply to possession, but the ballot measure does not specify when adult-use sales will begin.
How much marijuana can I possess in Ohio?
Issue 2 allows adults 21 or older to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and 15 grams of cannabis concentrate.
Can I smoke a joint in public?
Nope.
Can I grow cannabis at home?
Yes. An individual can grow up to six plants at home, with a maximum of twelve plants per household.
Who will regulate legal growers and sellers?
The state will create a new Division of Cannabis Control within the Ohio Department of Commerce to oversee the nascent industry.
How many weed stores will be allowed?
The state’s 130-odd existing medical marijuana dispensaries will have a green light to sell to recreational customers. Furthermore, the state will license 40 new cultivators and 50 new retailers. The Division of Cannabis Control can issue more licenses two years after they approve this first batch.
Will Ohio offer any equity or small-business licenses?
Yes. The ballot measure dictates that the state will issue new licenses “with a preference to applications who are participants under the cannabis social equity and jobs program.” But it does not quantify but the language in the ballot measure does not specify how many.
Can local towns or counties ban stores?
Towns and counties can ban new stores, but cannot stop existing medical dispensaries from selling to adult-use customers. Towns and counties furthermore cannot impose local taxes on cannabis.
The measure does not include specific language around automatic expungement, but does require the state to use some cannabis tax revenue to fund reform efforts including expungement.
Right now is pretty much the perfect time to buy and smoke the 2022 full-sun outdoor cannabis crop. It’ll never be fresher, or more perfectly cured.
So it’s auspicious that the Solful brand of cannabisdispensaries has just opened America’s best dispensary to buy outdoor weed. How dare we make that claim?
Watch the video to learn how to do it right, competitors. Solful’s owner walks the cannabis fields in the fall, and only purchases the best pounds. Everything is laid out by effect, farm location, terpene scores, and genetic lineage—with smelling stations. Solful even custom-designed the air conditioning so the flower always stays a cool 50 to 55 degrees.
Watch our short video report below:
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David Downs
Leafly Senior Editor David Downs received a Literary Excellence Award from Oaksterdam University in 2022. On the cannabis beat since 2009, he’s published three books, including the best-selling cannabis crop science book ‘Marijuana Harvest.’ Downs guest lectured at the Loyola Marymount University Law School’s Journalism Law School, UC Berkeley Extension, and contributed to Continuing Education of the Bar’s Marijuana Law Hub, sponsored by University of California and the State Bar of California. Downs’ work has appeared in San Francisco Chronicle, New York Times, Scientific American, Wired, Rolling Stone, The Onion, Columbia Journalism Review, High Times, Billboard, and many more. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from UC Santa Barbara, and was a Fellow at the Medill School of Journalism’s Academy of Alternative Journalism in Chicago.
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