# @thekansascitystar on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CipiMlusHFO
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/19115649-thekansascitystar-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/87c5ee0616.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-09-18T13:00:33.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Kansas City Star (@thekansascitystar) — https://gondola.cc/thekansascitystar

## Caption

Raytown business partners Andrew McDowell and Roderic Pearson have long dreamed of building a legitimate marijuana business.

So after Missouri voters legalized medical marijuana in 2018, the pair explored what it would take to transform Funky Skunk, their smoke shop selling CBD products, into a marijuana dispensary.

But they balked at the endeavor after estimating it would cost at least half a million dollars to meet the state’s strict licensing regulations. Now, they see what could be another shot — but they have doubts.

On Nov. 8, Missouri voters will decide whether to approve a constitutional amendment that would legalize marijuana for adults over the age of 21. If it’s approved, small, Black-owned mom-and-pop shops like Funky Skunk will be part of the mad dash to scoop up newly created micro-licenses to sell marijuana.

The Funky Skunk proprietors have reservations about the proposed changes, mainly that the state’s marijuana industry will remain largely under the control of established players who have built up their businesses over the last four years. With only micro-licenses available, they fear that minority-owned businesses like theirs won’t have an equal opportunity to get involved.

“What could be a good constitutional amendment is turning out to be a double down on a lackluster medical program,” said McDowell, the Funky Skunk co-founder. “It’s hard for minorities like myself to feel like we’re being included, to feel like we have a fair opportunity and shake.”

Read more at the link in our bio. ✏️ Kacen Bayless & Kevin Hardy 

#Missouri #MarijuanaLegalization #Election2022 #MOWeed #MOLeg

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## Tags

missouri, election2022, marijuanalegalization, moweed, moleg

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