Missouri isn’t just blowing smoke 💨

You can now legally buy recreational marijuana at KC dispensaries

Missouri law allows for three customers per budtender. | Photo by KCtoday

Missouri voters approved recreational marijuana back in November, with 53% in support. Consumers were allowed to carry cannabis starting on December 8, 2022. However, people weren’t able to legally buy it since the dispensary licensing hadn’t changed. Well, it has now.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services began approving recreational licenses on Friday, Feb. 3. The green light came three days earlier than the previously expected, catching local dispensaries by surprise.

“The phones are ringing off the hook,” Local Cannabis Company owner Lee Hoffman said. We can verify — we were there.

The company — at 1004 W. 45th St., KCMO — is hosting an official launch today, Feb. 6 with food, prizes, and free product. Other deals last all week long.

“We’ll get you checked in. Wait in line. Meet with a budtender,” Lee said. (Like a bartender, connecting people with the right product.)

KC_Marijuana at Local Cannabis Company — Local Cannabis Company will soon supply products from its Smithville production facility.

Need to know

According to DHSS, recreational consumers:

Must be at least 21 years old
Can buy + possess up to 3 oz at a time
Need a valid photo ID
Can’t smoke in public places
Can’t drive under the influence

Those who want to grow marijuana need a personal cultivation ID.

KC_Local Cannabis Company store floor — Other products include craft chocolate, gummies, vapor, and resin.

Show me the money

Missouri enacted a 6% state sales tax, which will fund the DHSS, veteran services, and low-income legal aid. The money will also help expunge marijuana offenses.

In addition, KCMO and most of the surrounding cities and suburbs plan to put a 3% city tax on the April ballot. Jackson County also approved a 3% county tax to go before voters. All said, consumers in the county could pay up to a 12% tax on recreational marijuana.

In Kansas

Kansas is one of three states in the US that hasn’t legalized any form of marijuana use, including medicinal. It is still illegal to possess cannabis in the state.

Law enforcement officials said they don’t plan to make any big changes.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today, Feb. 6

Cake Decorating Workshop | Monday, Feb. 6 | 6:30 p.m. | The Culinary Center of Kansas City, 7920 Santa Fe Dr., Overland Park, KS | $65 | Learn about the basic decorating tips and what they can do to elevate your cake decorating skills.
Death Cab for Cutie | Monday, Feb. 6 | 8 p.m. | The Midland Theatre, 1228 Main St., Kansas City, MO | $39.50-$75.50 | Jam out to this alternative rock band’s most recent studio album “Asphalt Meadows.”

Tuesday, Feb. 7

My Fair Lady | Tuesday, Feb. 7-Sunday, Feb. 12 | Times vary | Kauffman Center | $56-$121 | Enjoy a touring revival of the classic 1956 Broadway musical inside Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
Kansas City Mavericks | Tuesday, Feb. 7-Saturday, April 15 | 7:05 p.m. | Cable Dahmer Arena | $12-$55 | Kansas City’s pro hockey team takes on the Wichita Thunder.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Networking for Young Professionals | Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Boulevard Brewing Company, 2501 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, MO | $7 | Sip and chat with fellow like-minds at this networking event, brought to you by accounting firm Fortiviti.

Thursday, Feb. 9

WIN for KC Sports Award Celebration | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, MO | $125-$145 | This annual event recognizes women and girls throughout the Kansas City area making a difference through sports and fitness.
Liza Treyger | Thursday, Feb. 9-Saturday, Feb. 11 | 7 p.m. | The Comedy Club of Kansas City, 1130 W. 103rd St., Kansas City, MO | $20-$28 | Liza recently appeared in the movie “The King of Staten Island” as well as her half-hour special on Comedy Central.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

This billion-dollar startup wants to help you retire

Portrait of businesswoman standing against a wooden wall in office.

SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors who serve your area. | Photo by Dean Mitchell

This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161 million to help people plan for retirement. 👀

If you’re one of the whopping 110 million Americans over age 50 — or a wise Millennial looking to get ahead — SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors serving our local area.

In just a few minutes, you can get matched with up to three financial advisors, each legally bound to work in your best interest. Now that’s service.*

TAKE THE FREE QUIZ

Weather

64º | Cloudy | 20% chance of rain

Development

An unnamed developer submitted plans to turn an empty lot at 14th Street + Wyandotte Street downtown KCMO into a 300-unit apartment project. The project lists a mixed-use tower with on-site parking and ground-level retail. The location had a parking garage razed seven years ago. 🏗 (CityScene KC)

Opening

The Halal Guys, a Middle Eastern eatery that started in NYC, is coming to Kansas City. A Northland family plans to open the first metro location this month near Liberty — at 8702 NE Flintlock Rd., KCMO. Expect cuisine like gyros, pita wraps, bowls, and platters. (Kansas City Star)

Number

5,203. That’s the number of marijuana case expungements Missouri Courts most recently reported, thanks to Amendment 3. Clay County leads the state with 1,305. (KSHB 41)

Concert

The Smile — a band with members from Radiohead — is coming to The Midland Theatre on Wednesday, July 9. The progressive rock group’s song “Pana-vision” is known for playing during a major scene in the show “Peaky Blinders.” Tickets start at $60. 🎶

Closing

Five out of the six metro Bed Bath & Beyond locations are closing in the near future — following reports of the retailer’s possible bankruptcy. Liquidation sales have already begun. The only remaining KC location will be in Overland Park — at 12035 Metcalf Ave. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Feel Good

Meet Bintang, a 4-year-old Sumatran tiger and the Kansas City Zoo’s newest family member. The 288-pound feline recently made its public debut after arriving in late 2022. You can learn more about “Bini” and his endangered species during daily 3 p.m. tiger chats at his exhibit. 🐅

Gallery

Want to get hyped for the Super Bowl? With the big game less than a week away, check out these photos of your favorite players repping game-day uniforms — complete with LVII patches. 🏈

Shop

From chocolates to candles and cards, we’ve got you covered with all things loveable in our online shop, Six & Main. Explore our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide to start shopping for sweet presents such as this bonbon gift box by Marble & Steel Craft Chocolates. 🍫

Travel

Dreaming of a tropical summer vacation? Us too. We’re eyeing this romantic villa with pristine views in Costa Rica and this charming beachfront cottage in St. Kitts. Or maybe we’ll splurge on a trip to Tahiti and stay in this beach house with a private pool. 🏝️ *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Take your calendar to the next level 🗓

How to navigate KCtoday’s events page

This is all you need to event like a pro. | Photo by KCtoday

You may be familiar with the events section of our newsletter — but what about our website?

Make the most of our comprehensive events calendar with these pro tips for navigating our site like a true local.

🔎 Event search tools

Find these below the “Featured Events” section near the top.

Screenshot of the KCtoday events page — Don’t you just want to press all of the buttons?

Magnifying glass icon: Search keywords to find event categories or search events by name.

“All Events” drop-down (desktop): Search for virtual events or “Editor Picks.”

Descending list icon (desktop): Search by time, popularity, or alphabetically.

Bullet list icon: Change the format from lists to thumbnails.

Additional tools: Date, location, radius

✏️ Add your own event

Blue calendar icon: Click or tap this button, create a login, and input your event information. We need the name, date(s), time(s), location, price, and brief description.

Want to ensure your event is featured for our 101,000+ readers? Review our promotional offerings before clicking “submit.”

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Travis.

Editor’s pick: Remember when we told you about the engineering feats of the Kauffman Center? We quizzed you to see if you knew when it opened to the public. We gave you four choices, and the results were pretty evenly mixed:

2006: 24.8%
2010: 28.4%
2011: 24.3% (the correct answer)
2012: 22.5%

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Your guide to 17 of the biggest school districts in Kansas City.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Bella Rainey, Travis Meier, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Amanda Munsey | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?