Cannabis Briefs for November 14, 2023

•Missouri’s recreational cannabis market has reached $1.5 billion in cumulative sales in less than a year since the launch of the adult use market, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. That peak, from September 2023, is more than double the December 2022 figure of $605 million in cumulative sales, which included only the medical category. Since February 2023, monthly adult use sales have increased by more than $25 million and are now near $100 million per month, up from just over $70 million in February.

•Ohio has become the 24th state to legalize cannabis, after nearly 60% of voters approved the state’s legalization measure on November 7. The measure, titled Issue 2, would allow Ohioans 21-and-over to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and 15 grams of cannabis concentrate, as well as allowing adults to cultivate up to six plants of their own (12 if more than one adult lives in the household). In addition, the measure would create a Division of Cannabis Control under the Department of Commerce, tax retail sales at 10%, and kick off with 40 cultivator licenses and 50 retail licenses. Ohio’s governor and legislature may make changes to the measure, however, and appear intent on putting further limits on the business in place.

•A new Gallup poll indicates that 70% of Americans support legalizing cannabis, including 52% of self-identified conservatives and 55% of Republicans. In addition, support for legalization has considerable support across age ranges, with the lowest support—still a solid majority at 64% of respondents—coming from adults 55 years old and up. Similarly, all levels of post-high school education from “no college” to “postgraduate” support legalization, with all hovering around 70% support. The poll interviewed 1,009 Americans between October 2 and 23.

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