Missouri gets $2 million in medical marijuana fees

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has accepted more than 250 forms and more than $2 million in medical marijuana application fees this week.

DHSS began accepting fees Monday and is now in the process of forming rules for the program in order to efficiently regulate and control the cultivation, manufacturing and sale of marijuana for medical use, officials said.

“We have a responsibility as public servants of Missouri to implement this process for qualified patients according to the Constitution, and we are pleased that the initial phase has been executed on schedule and with great success thanks to the tireless work of an adaptable staff,” Dr. Randall Williams, DHSS director, said in a statement.

License fees for dispensaries and for making cannabis-infused products are $6,000, while fees for cultivation facilities are $10,000.

As part of the department’s effort to gather input, a new page on the medical marijuana program has been established on its website. DHSS will begin releasing initial drafts of rules for public review. Individuals also can submit suggestions through the suggestion form on that same page, officials said. [Read more at St Louis Business Journal]