LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — The slower-than-anticipated rollout of the medical marijuana industry in Missouri hit another milestone on Wednesday with the availability of edibles for patients.
The first batch of the product in the state was sold at 3rd Street Dispensary in Lee's Summit.
"It’s surreal, the whole year’s been a big blur but opening up has been really rewarding," said Cheryl Annen, co-owner of 3rd Street Dispensary.
The first person to buy an edible product was Kathy Romey.
"I’ve had should surgery twice and I have arthritis so I do take it; it’s a wonderful product," Romey said.
The product comes in the form of gummies, chocolates and liquid like a drink from several brands, including Keef, Robhots and Wana, produced from Clovr, a Kansas City medical marijuana manufacturing facility.
According to Annen, the dispensary has been receiving calls and questions wanting this form of medical marijuana since opening three weeks ago.
"You can get a different effect from it going through your body then just in inhalation," Annen said.
Patients who spoke with 41 Action News eagerly wanted to give the products a taste.
"I’ve heard about them but I’ve always been afraid because I hear that it sneaks up on you, but I’m wiling to give it a try," patient Keyaira Smith said.
A line of patients formed outside the Lee's Summit dispensary for hours on Wednesday.
To prevent theft and to keep patients and staff safe, there are security guards inside the facility.
"We elected to hire security, armed security, to still control the access and prevent diversion but also for agent safety," Annen said.
According to the state, there are over 87,000 patient applications with 40 facilities such as cultivation, manufacturing, dispensary and testing sites.
Since dispensaries opened in October, there has been more than $4 million in sales of medical marijuana.
"I believe with the manufactured products that are out there now, we’ll see continued that slow steady growth," said Lyndall Fraker, director for medical marijuana with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
To learn more about where Missouri stands on its medical marijuana program, click here.
