Missouri regulators deny certification for majority of social-equity cannabis license winners

Of the 24 dispensary licenses selected through the lottery in June, The Independent has identified 14 that are likely connected to groups the state cracked down on previously

David Huckins, a disabled veteran from Leavenworth, Kan., threw his name into the lottery this spring for a chance to win a social-equity marijuana dispensary license in Missouri.

In June, he learned he landed one of 57 microbusiness licenses meant to benefit disadvantaged business owners – including disabled veterans, those with lower incomes and people with non-violent marijuana offenses.

The microbusiness program was part of the constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana that voters passed in 2022.

Huckins was among one of the 24 dispensary licenses and 33 wholesale licenses for cultivation facilities handed out as part of a second lottery held in June —  out of more than 2,000 applicants.

But Huckins wasn’t officially in the clear until Thursday afternoon, when he received a notice that he passed the rigorous review process to confirm his eligibility.

For him, it wasn’t a surprise.

“I got a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs saying that I have a disability rating that qualifies me for the application process,” he said. “This one was a slam dunk for the state, I feel like.” [Read More @ The Missouri Independent]