Operating under names like Green Releaf Dispensary and CoMo Gro, 25 businesses and individuals have paid thousands of dollars in application fees for the chance to operate a medical marijuana facility in Columbia.
Entrepreneurs filed paperwork and paid fees to apply for 22 dispensary licenses, six cultivation licenses and three manufacturing licenses in Columbia, according to records from the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.
The hopefuls looking to enter the marijuana market include businesses already involved in cannabis-related retail in the city, such as American Shaman and Grass Roots Smoke Shop, as well as newcomers to the industry. Fifteen of the applicants had Columbia mailing addresses.
Two people — Shruti Patel and Adam Fuchs — have filed paperwork seeking to operate all three types of facilities in Columbia. Neither could be reached for comment Wednesday.
Businesses will not be able to file formal applications to sell marijuana until Aug. 3, but more than 500 people statewide have already paid their application fee in advance of the application date.
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