DCR Director’s Note

By: Amy Moore, Director

The last time I wrote to readers of The Cannabis Connection back in January of 2025, I noted that change is not just a temporary phase in our world but is, in fact, inherent in what we all do. As many can attest, the past few months have done nothing but reinforce that reality! Between changes in federal law set to take effect in November 2026 that clarify the lines between hemp and marijuana, a Department of Justice order rescheduling certain marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, and the hearing process beginning in June to consider rescheduling marijuana generally, we have seen more federal action affecting state‑regulated marijuana in six months than we’ve seen the entire six-plus years of the Missouri program’s existence.

Thankfully, we as a regulated state are well‑equipped to handle seismic shifts, if that is indeed what is occurring. Over the past several years, our division has been steadily strengthening the foundations that prepare us for moments like these. In 2025, we built out our teams, refined complex internal and external processes, met major regulatory and operational deadlines, and engaged extensively with our many stakeholders through workgroup, listening sessions, and deepening relationships. These were not small undertakings; they required coordination, communication, resilience, and a willingness to adapt quickly and thoughtfully.

Just as important, we invested in broader strategic planning and cultural transformation across DCR. Those efforts didn’t just improve how we work day-to-day; they created stronger systems, clearer decision‑making pathways, and a culture that embraces change instead of fearing it. Because of this, we are not approaching potential regulatory shifts from a place of uncertainty—we are approaching them from a place of preparedness. The challenges we have already navigated have built a team that is practiced, steady, and ready to respond with clarity and collaboration.

As we look ahead, I am grateful for everyone who has partnered with us so far and all who are willing to walk alongside us as our landscape continues to evolve.

Customer Experience Overview

By: Shayna Arndt

Director, Section for Patient and Application Services

In July 2025, the DCR call center introduced a customer satisfaction survey to identify opportunities for efficiency and improve customer experience. When a caller reaches the DCR call center, they are asked whether they would like to participate in a survey after the call. Those who opt in receive a text link once the call is completed. This survey was implemented as part of a statewide initiative to improve customer satisfaction within state call centers.

The survey looks at 4 key metrics: Overall customer satisfaction, confidence in the DCR staff working in the call center, wait times and DCR staff performance. The survey data is further broken down into the top reasons that customers contact the DCR call center, how many required additional contact to resolve their concerns, and where in the state calls come from.

The DCR call center has consistently exceeded statewide scoring goals for the metrics measured by survey feedback.

• Customer satisfaction has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.
• Customer confidence in DCR staff has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5.
• Wait time ratings average a 4.7 out of 5.
• DCR staff performance scores average an 18.6 out of 20.
  • Within this topic, friendliness, knowledgeability, helpfulness and patience all received average ratings of 90 percent or higher.
• Most calls come from the Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield areas.
• 93 percent of customers surveyed “strongly agree” that the DCR agent understood the issue and was helpful in addressing needs with a friendly attitude.
• 38 surveys submitted requested a call back for further resolution; all were resolved successfully.
• Nearly 50 percent of those surveyed contacted DCR with questions about agent IDs.

Through the implementation of this survey, the DCR call center team has been able to identify and improve team knowledge in specific areas of rule and application support.

Market and Economic Impact Study Update

By Dylan Roebuck, Policy Analyst, Office of Policy and Research

As part of DCR’s effort to determine the need to lift or ease license limits, DCR has contracted Cannabis Public Policy Consulting (CPPC) to conduct a market and economic impact study. Since being awarded a contract in June of 2025, CPPC has taken steps to provide an analysis of marijuana demand, market competition, and economic impacts across the state. As part of this work, CPPC anonymously surveyed Missouri marijuana licenses about their business activities in April. DCR sincerely thanks licensees for taking the time to collect their business data and for participating in this survey. The final report of the market and economic impact study is expected to be available at the end of this year.

Quick Quarter News – a few DCR highlights in Quarter 2

By Erica Ziegler, Deputy Division Director

Article XIV Fund Transfers – Fiscal Year 26

In May, The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) completed its Fiscal Year 2026 constitutional fund transfers from the state’s medical and adult‑use marijuana programs. This year, $13 million in medical marijuana revenue was transferred to the Missouri Veterans Commission, bringing the program’s total contribution to nearly $66 million. Additionally, each of the three adult‑use beneficiaries — the Missouri Veterans Commission, Missouri State Public Defender, and substance use disorder treatment and recovery grant program — received $19.6 million, totaling $58.9 million for FY 2026 and $128.6 million transferred since the adult‑use program began.

Stay in the Green: Compliance Assistance Program (GreenCAP)

The Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) held its bi‑monthly learning sessions for licensees and their staff in April and June as part of the Stay in the Green: Compliance Assistance Program (GreenCAP). Launched in 2026 by the Section for Compliance and Enforcement, GreenCAP expands the division’s ongoing efforts to provide licensees with continuous compliance education, guidance, and best‑practice resources.

The bi‑monthly virtual learning sessions offer regulatory updates and guidance for Missouri’s cannabis licensees. Through GreenCAP, DCR aims to bring together compliance assistance efforts across DCR. Future GreenCAP opportunities will include individualized site visits tailored to licensees’ needs and online meetings to assist with compliance questions and support strong operational practices.

Together, GreenCAP advances DCR’s goal of helping licensees stay informed, supported, and consistently in compliance.

DCR Attends CANNRA Stakeholder Conference

By Amy Moore, Division Director

In June, DCR attended the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) Stakeholder Meeting, where regulators from state cannabis agencies and a wide variety of cannabis stakeholders met to discuss a range of topics. Participating from DCR were Amy Moore, Director, Tara McKinney, Public Outreach Director, and Dr. Rieka Yu, Director of Policy and Research. Panels and workshops during the meeting covered hemp and marijuana policy trends, the legal considerations in rescheduling medical marijuana and considerations for implementing the new federal medical marijuana registration program, and research on public education and consumer safety considerations for cannabis products. DCR Director Amy Moore led a panel discussing state and federal roles in enforcing cannabis policies and was also re-elected to serve another term on the CANNRA Executive Board along with fellow regulators from Michigan, Illinois, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Virginia, and Oklahoma. This year, CANNRA celebrated its fifth year as an organization. For more information about CANNRA and its important work, visit https://www.cann-ra.org/.