ST. LOUIS — The number of people certified for medical marijuana cards in Missouri continues to increase by about 1,000 a week and totaled 31,000 as of Feb. 1, the Department of Health and Senior Services reported.
At that rate, Missouri could have 50,000 to 60,000 certified patients when dispensaries open this summer, much higher than the 19,000 estimated for the first year of the program in a study commissioned by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which regulates the state's medical marijuana program.
Missouri's medical marijuana industry will create an estimated 4,000 new jobs and generate an overall annual economic impact of more than $500 million, according to MoCannTrade, a state industry association.
Last month, Missouri awarded 192 licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries, including nearly 70 located in the St. Louis metro area. The total is broken down by congressional district, with 24 facilities approved for each district. Missouri has eight congressional districts, three of which touch the St. Louis region.
Separately, Illinois reported earlier this week that almost $40 million in recreational marijuana was sold in the state in January, the first month the sales were legal.
Click here for more from the St. Louis Business Journal.
More Local News
- 'Broke Black Girl' | Finance coach uses her own journey to help other women
- St. Louis pediatrician trades comfortable career for mission work, beats odds with success in Haiti
- Stolen phones keep getting sold to recycling kiosks
- 'She had a knife. I had nothing.' | Cab driver survives being stabbed 13 times
- Cortex district brings in billions of dollars to the St. Louis area: Report
