Springfield Marijuana Microbusiness License Revoked Due to Ineligibility
Springfield marijuana microbusiness has license revoked by regulator.
The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) has revoked nine microbusiness marijuana licenses after a review found them unable to meet strict, equitable eligibility rules, according to a DCR press release.
The revoked licensees included High Aroma LLC, which listed a Springfield address, 3242 S. Stewart Ave., on its application for a microbusiness license, according to DCR records.
While the business listed a physical address that was in Springfield, the number listed on High Aroma’s application was registered to an Arizona-based business, Cannabis Business Advisors (CBA). Specifically, Maxime Kot, president and part owner of CBA, was listed as the contact on High Aroma’s application. CBA is a marijuana industry consulting firm, helping businesses launch in the relatively new industry, according to the company website.
Cannabis Business Advisors issued the following statement in an email to the Springfield Daily Citizen:
“The recent cannabis micro license revocations by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services are severely unjust and irreparably penalize the qualified social equity applicants who were awarded the life-changing opportunity to become successful cannabis entrepreneurs and provide generational wealth for their families.“
“We remained fully compliant with all regulatory guidelines throughout the application process and fully intend to challenge the decision that goes against the law’s intent, and our company’s intent, to help small and minority-owned businesses break into the cannabis industry in the state of Missouri.
In late-2023, DCR issued 11 notices of pending revocation for microbusiness licensees that were awarded earlier that year. All but two of the microbusinesses proved to be ineligible due to owners or licensees not meeting requirements.
Who meets the requirements for a marijuana microbusiness?
Microbusiness licenses are only issued to eligible individuals and entities, allowing for marginalized or under-represented individuals to take part in the Missouri marijuana market, according to information on the website of DCR, a division of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Microbusinesses operate at a smaller scale than medical or regular marijuana licensees.
