Legal Cannabis Sparks Job Boom In MO, CT's Fees Prove Profitable, MMJ Efforts In Wisconsin

Missouri Cannabis Jobs On The Rise After Legalization

Missouri recreational cannabis sales kicked off in early February, some three months after voters approved Amendment 3.  

Since then, the number of licenses the state approves for new employees each month has surged.

In November, the Department of Health and Human Services approved 264 badges and over 1,100 in January and February, reported Missouri Independent.

"Just across the board, you're seeing an increase in need," Christy Essex, who is behind Se7en Staffing & Employment Solutions, a cannabis staffing company. 

During the first three days of recreational sales in February, weed shops sold some $12.7 million in products.

"In the manufacturing and the laboratories even, we've actually been staffing for all the entities right now," Essex added.

CT Rakes In Nearly $60 Million Via Licensing & Lottery Fees

Connecticut has pulled in $60 million from cannabis license fees, reported Stamford Advocate.

The state Department of Consumer Protection reported last week that it received a total of $59,606,895 as of Wednesday, with over 80% coming from license fees paid by social equity applicants, which will be directed into a dedicated fund.

The money will fund the Social Equity Council and community reinvestment initiatives. In addition, the Social Equity Council's community reinvestment committee is scheduled to meet Monday and weigh in on a draft community reinvestment plan.

Wisconsin Legislature Considers Medical Marijuana With Stringent Limitations

A bipartisan duo of Wisconsin lawmakers said last week that legalization of medical marijuana could be expected this legislative session, though with some limitations, reported Marijuana Moment.

Building on the state Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu's earlier statement that "our caucus is getting pretty close on medical marijuana," his chamber colleagues Sens. Mary Felzkowski (R) and Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard (D) weighed on the issue during a webinar hosted by the nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum on Friday.

Felzkowski, who has been fighting for the cause, said she's still "very, very focused on getting medical marijuana across the finish line the session," though adding that she doesn't "want to force people that feel they need cannabis or have had good results with cannabis into doing something illegal for their medical needs."

She told Marijuana Moment that "smoking is off the table for our caucuses" and that delivery systems need to be "conservative—so they are only being delivered to the person with the medical card."

Photo: Courtesy of Ramdlon, ganjaspliffstoreuk by Pixabay