Missouri has issued nearly 22 thousand medical marijuana cards since July 4, exceeding expectations of the interest in the program.
Researchers with the University of Missouri’s Economic and Policy Analysis Research Center estimated the current number of licenses issued wouldn’t have been achieved until 2021.
Missouri voters voted to legalize medical marijuana in 2018.
Patients with conditions such as cancer, epilepsy and HIV can apply for state-issued medical marijuana cards with a doctor’s approval.
The Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association estimates there could be at least 122 thousand patients with cards by the end of 2022.