Wednesday: As Missouri’s Medical Marijuana Program Expands, Advocates Push For Racial Equity

This interview will be broadcast on “St. Louis on the Air ”over the noon hour on Wednesday. This story will be updated after the show. You can Hear live.

The medical marijuana industry in Missouri has been doing well since the first pharmacies opened their doors last October. Today, more than 100,000 patients and caregivers use and buy medical cannabis in the state.

Jack Cardetti, a spokesman for the Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association, noted that they already exist more pharmacies in Missouri than in Illinois. He added that the industry had sales of $ 3.3 million for a week in April and that the state would hit $ 40 million cumulatively.

“I think we are most proud in the state of Missouri of these 100,000 Missouri patients – they don’t have to drive halfway across the state to get their medication. Most Missouri patients will live off a licensed pharmacy within 30 minutes, ”he said.

Wednesdays St. Louis in the airCardetti will join host Sarah Fenske to provide an update on the emerging industry. Also in attendance is Brennan England, head of the Missouri Minority Chapter on Medical Marijuana.

England founded the St. Louis Cannabis Club, which connects people with resources for medical marijuana use and helps entrepreneurs interested in the medical marijuana industry. One such effort was to open the state’s first cannabis-use website, the Cola Lounge.

England will share its thoughts on the legalization efforts, the impact of the industry on the black community and how they would like decriminalization efforts.

“As cool as it is that medical cannabis really starts to rock if we don’t focus directly on evicting and getting people out of jail, especially black and brown minorities who have been right on the negative end of the negative stereotypes and drug police that surrounded this plan, then we’re just creating more problems than a solution, ”he said.

Do you feel relieved that more and more medical marijuana dispensaries are open in the area, that purchases are now legal? Or was it the first time you started using marijuana? Tweet us (@ STLonAir), send an email to talk@stlpr.org or share your thoughts on ours St. Louis in the air Facebook groupand help to inform our reporting.

“St. Louis in the air“Brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work, and create in our area. The show is hosted by Sarah Fenske and produced by Alex Heuer, Emily Woodbury, Evie Hemphill and Lara Hamdan. The audio engineer is Aaron Doerr.