Marijuana Venture’s ongoing feature exploring the cannabis industry’s presence in various regions throughout the United States looks to the Midwest, with a focus on the adult-use markets in Illinois and Michigan and the growing medical market in Missouri. These states may not have the long history of medical cannabis like those on the West Coast, but they have definitely made their mark on the modern industry’s landscape. This section explores the regulations, sales, trade organizations, operators and the potential of the Midwestern state markets, which are still evolving.
Illinois was the first Midwestern state to allow adult-use sales, but it is perhaps the most infamous for its social equity licensing lawsuits and notorious delays. But many waiting for their chance to join the $2.7 billion market are hopeful with state regulators beginning to issue another 185 licenses July 22, 2022.
Michigan’s recreational cannabis market is heating up fast with hundreds of new licenses added every quarter and more municipalities slowly opting to allow recreational cannabis operations. Although only about 10% of municipalities currently allow adult-use cannabis operations, the recent licenses being awarded in Detroit may lead to rapid expansion across the state.
Finally, Missouri has both the youngest and most stable cannabis market in the Midwest, although it is only a medical market and is still missing all-important criminal justice and social equity elements. The state’s market has grown from a healthy 60,000 patient base from when it opened on October 17, 2020, to a $393 million market with more than 187,000 patients in less than two years.
Next month, Marijuana Venture will look at the New England region, including the recreational markets in Massachusetts and Maine, as well as the transitioning markets in Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. For information about upcoming issues or to learn about advertising and sponsorship opportunities, email Editor@MarijuanaVenture.com.
Special Thanks
A special thanks to sponsors Narvona and Pope Scientific for making this issue possible.
About Marijuana Venture
Marijuana Venture is a leading business magazine focused on the legal cannabis industry in North America. Marijuana Venture is published monthly and distributed to subscribers and through bookstores and newsstands in the United States. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.MarijuanaVenture.com or call 425-656-3621.
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