Missouri Reveals High Number of Medical Patient Applications
[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]A[/dropcap]lthough medical cannabis isn’t officially available in Missouri yet, state officials have already approved more than 35,000 patients for its medical program.
According to KCTV5, this number exceeds the projections the state has given so far. Medical cannabis won’t actually be available in the state until mid-2020.
So far, psychological disorders are the first reason for patient requests, followed by chronic medical conditions. The University of Missouri’s Economic and Policy Analysis Research Center projected a much lower number this early in the process.
“We want to make sure that all Missourians feel good about our program, that it’s safe, regulated,” said Lyndall Fraker, director of medical marijuana for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, about the major patient turnout.
As of now, there are 60 licensed growers, 86 manufacturers and 192 dispensaries for when medical cannabis begins in the state. There are currently 845 applicants who were denied licenses, and many are disappointed in the results. “It’s exciting because we’ve seen the impact it means for patients,” Josh Mitchem, CEO of soon-to-open dispensary Clovr, said. “We know the naysayers say it doesn’t cure anything, but it improves patients’ quality of life.”
Details about the legal program are yet to be revealed, but as of now, an in-person doctor will be necessary to get a medical cannabis card, and edibles will not be allowed for consumption. But more could change as the year goes on, and many are also trying to get access to medical cannabis.
Missouri cannabis patients started getting approved back in December, and the state has approved a fair amount of licenses. Later this year, when the medical program is rolled out, more of the details about the emerging, but clearly very healthy, market will become clear.
