Competing marijuana legalization questions in the works as some Missouri activists slam system | Marijuana

One of the hang-ups during negotiations revolved around the concept of micro-licenses, an idea designed to appease those pushing for an open market while still protecting industry from too much competition, Kisner said.

Meeting notes indicate that last fall, the committee moved away from talk of opening up commercial licenses in favor of the micro-license idea. In draft language Kisner provided from Legal Missouri, a “marijuana microbusiness facility” would be limited to 200 flowering plants.

In mid-September, industry and advocate subcommittees voted on whether to restrict micro-licensees from selling to consumers. The groups diverged on the topic, with advocates voting down the restrictions and industry members voting for them.

Kisner said the restriction would have effectively forced those small licensees to sell to already established companies, forcing micro-licensees to accept what commercial buyers were willing to pay. Micro-license bud would then be marketed and priced as “craft cannabis,” Kisner said.

“Everyone’s calling for more inclusion in the industry,” he said. “This is more exclusive.”

In exchange for the limit, according to meeting minutes, “the industry representatives put forth the idea that all license holders must contribute to a fund whereupon that money will be used as a loan, or grant, or something of the sort to help micro-license holders establish and grow their businesses.”