The Missouri Department of Health and Human Services will start taking applications from anyone interested in operating a marijuana micro-business starting today. Missouri DHSS defines a microbusiness as a marijuana facility license “designed to allow marginalized or under-represented individuals to participate in the legal marijuana market,” either through a dispensary or wholesale facility. In October 2023, a total of 48 microbusiness licenses will be issued for the first round of application/lottery and licensure; six microbusiness license applicants will be selected within each of the eight Missouri congressional districts. Of the six in each district, two will be microbusiness dispensaries, and four will be microbusiness wholesale facilities. The lottery will take place no later than Sept. 1, 2023. The lottery drawing results will be posted to the Department’s website as soon as they are available.