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Medical-grade marijuana will likely be grown in Perry County, or at least by Perry County-based businesses.
Late last week, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services released a list of 60 facilities that were approved for medical marijuana cultivation licenses. Among them were three facilities — Archimedes Medical Holdings LLC, Focus Partners-Perryville LLC and FUJM, LLC — that listed Perryville addresses.
An application from a fourth Perryville facility — Holistic Health Capital LLC — was denied.
All four applicants listed adjoining addresses on Hwy. B, ranging from 14593 to 14599 State Hwy. B, all near JoAnnn’s Greenhouse, which is located at 14607 State Hwy. B, just south of Biehle.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, individuals involved with FUJM LLC and Archimedes Medical Holdings LLC donated at least $15,000 in March to a political action committee raising money for Gov. Mike Parson’s re-election campaign, including $5,000 from Blonie Dudney, a St. Louis eye doctor.
Dudney previously told the Post-Dispatch that the investor group comprises five St. Louis-area physicians who are interested in using cannabis to treat illnesses.
Missouri voters approved medical marijuana in November 2018.
Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association executive director Andrew Mullins called last week’s announcements “historic.”
“Our state is deservedly drawing national praise for the smooth, effective implementation of this new medical marijuana program, ever since it was overwhelmingly approved by Missouri voters last November,” Mullins said. “Today’s announcement lays the groundwork for a continued successful rollout of the remaining businesses license. Best of luck to those still waiting to hear on infused product and dispensing licenses in the coming weeks.”
The 60 facilities approved for cultivation licenses are the top-scoring facilities that meet all eligibility requirements as prescribed by the program rules, which included completing an extensive application process and answering several essay questions focused on their business plans, experience and ownership.
Applications that were not approved were denied for several reasons, according to DHSS, including “failure to meet minimum qualifications, the result of an analysis for substantial common control, the result of application scoring, or application withdrawal.”
“Throughout this entire process, it has been important to us to be fair and transparent as we implement all pieces of this program,” said Lyndall Fraker, director of the DHSS Section for Medical Marijuana Regulation. “This is why we chose to employ a ‘blind’ application scorer who had no access to applicants’ identifying information.”
According to a news release from DHSS, all applicants should have been notified of their status.
“I’m incredibly appreciative of Lyndall and his entire team for getting Missouri to this pivotal point,” said Dr. Randall Williams, director of DHSS. “The manner in which they have efficiently actualized the amendment that voters approved last year is an excellent example of good governance.”
According to the list published by DHSS, the state had received more than 500 applications from across the state, approving 60, including the three from Perryville, along with one from GF Saint Mary LLC in St. Mary, Organic Remedies MO Inc. in Chaffee, and Bootheel CannaCare LLC in Caruthersville.
Also last week, DHSS released lists of approved transportation and testing facilities.
Among those approved for transportation services were 5th Meridian Group Inc. of Cape Girardeau and KLN Logistics LLC of Jackson.
More information about Missouri’s medical marijuana program can be found at
medicalmarijuana.mo.gov.
