Best of KC 2023: Legal weed stampede

Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-op

This month, we published The Pitch’s annual Best of Kansas City issue. You can browse the results of the readers’ poll here. The issue also included a list, compiled and written by our editorial staff, of some of our current favorite things about Kansas City in 2023. We’ll be publishing these items online throughout November. 

Missouri took immense steps within the cannabis industry in 2023 when the first legal and licensed sale of recreational cannabis took place February 3 of this year. The state’s economy brought in over $5 million in gross sales on the first day, according to KMBC.

Since 2020, Missouri has raised nearly $1.5 billion in total sales as of August 2023, according to Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulations.

But dispensary sales are not the only thing keeping the cannabis industry afloat in Kansas City. Multiple events have been held in the city in an attempt to bring marijuana enthusiasts together in safe spaces. Large events such as the Major Cannabis Expo, Cannafest, and 420 Fest were a few of the bigger cannabis commencements.

After a successful first year of recreational legalization, Kansas City and Missouri as a whole are eager to continue raking in dough from those searching for relief through cannabis.