Local dispensary optimistic about rec cannabis
February 8, 2023
Shown above, left to right, are Amanda Roller, Senior Patient Care Associate, and Charlea Estes-Jones, general manager of Cassville Dispensary.
Ezra DeVore
With adult use of cannabis being passed in Missouri last November, it has officially become legal to purchase in the state for all citizens over the age of 21. Though the motion only passed by a slight margin, local recreational and medical dispensary manager Charlea Estes-Jones says that medical professionals and locals have responded quite positively to the change.
In total, the medical card would cost you around $125 with expenses included, and Estes-Jones states that many locals can’t afford this upfront price point for their medical attention. With the bill being passed, several aspects of the function of a medical card have altered, with one being that they are now valid for three years as opposed to one.
While medicinal use is on the mind of many, recreational cannabis being passed will accrue its share of curious fun-seekers; however, Estes-Jones says that approximately 80% of those who have entered the store are asking medically based questions, not recreational.
“People are having fun,” she says, “but whether they know it or not, they’re likely coming here for medical treatment.”
Historically, mental health issues like anxiety, depression, lack of appetite, social difficulties, and more have been soothed by cannabis, she states. However, Estes-Jones has personally seen the plant accomplish greater feats.
“I had a really hard time admitting I was sick for a really long time. I had brain surgery in November and a cervical spine fusion in December; those were six weeks apart. My neurosurgeon was incredibly supportive of the field that I work in because he has seen what it does for people. So being transformed myself while also seeing my patients come in, say how many times they’ve been in the ER to receive morphine, then come in and say that with a single transdermal patch, with no psychoactive effects whatsoever, their pain stopped. They break into tears because it’s the first time in recent memory they haven’t been in pain. That’s why I do what I do.”
On the April ballot, there will be an additional 3% tax offered on the sale of cannabis for the county. Currently, there is a 6% tax split between mental health services, drug rehabilitation, and public defenders.
On the subject of this being a step in the direction of analyzing the medicinal benefits of other substances shown to have potential (LSD, psilocybin, ketamine, MDMA), Estes-Jones stated:
“From a natural healthcare perspective, there is a reason why mental health professionals are fighting to have those types of things decriminalized. We have had people have total life 180s with cannabis. It’s not because it’s a cure-all, it’s not because it’s a miracle, but because people are using it as a health and wellness tool, and they’re able to integrate it into their life to make themselves feel better. We’re seeing that a lot.”
The recreational sales were supposed to open on Monday, February 6. However, Saturday, February 4, was the first day of wide-scale recreational sales. The store was informed they could open early on Friday, and much of the day was spent configuring equipment.
February 4 saw the store reach 3.5x the average sales numbers.
“It was fast, it was furious, but it was absolutely fantastic. Our staff worked together extremely well; everyone who came through was very patient and very understanding. We had a few people who were brand new, with only a couple days on the sales floor, but they did incredibly. One of our supervisors had a step count of over 21,000 just from being here,” Estes-Jones laughed, “but it was a great day. It was incredible to be a part of such a historic moment. To know that those people left with really high-quality products, much better than they would get on the black market, felt really good to me.”
With adult use of cannabis being passed in Missouri last November, it has officially become legal to purchase in the state for all citizens over the age of 21. Though the motion only passed by a slight margin, local recreational and medical dispensary manager Charlea Estes-Jones says that medical professionals and locals have responded quite positively to the change.
In total, the medical card would cost you around $125 with expenses included, and Estes-Jones states that many locals can’t afford this upfront price point for their medical attention. With the bill being passed, several aspects of the function of a medical card have altered, with one being that they are now valid for three years as opposed to one.
While medicinal use is on the mind of many, recreational cannabis being passed will accrue its share of curious fun-seekers; however, Estes-Jones says that approximately 80% of those who have entered the store are asking medically based questions, not recreational.
“People are having fun,” she says, “but whether they know it or not, they’re likely coming here for medical treatment.”
Historically, mental health issues like anxiety, depression, lack of appetite, social difficulties, and more have been soothed by cannabis, she states. However, Estes-Jones has personally seen the plant accomplish greater feats.
“I had a really hard time admitting I was sick for a really long time. I had brain surgery in November and a cervical spine fusion in December; those were six weeks apart. My neurosurgeon was incredibly supportive of the field that I work in because he has seen what it does for people. So being transformed myself while also seeing my patients come in, say how many times they’ve been in the ER to receive morphine, then come in and say that with a single transdermal patch, with no psychoactive effects whatsoever, their pain stopped. They break into tears because it’s the first time in recent memory they haven’t been in pain. That’s why I do what I do.”
On the April ballot, there will be an additional 3% tax offered on the sale of cannabis for the county. Currently, there is a 6% tax split between mental health services, drug rehabilitation, and public defenders.
On the subject of this being a step in the direction of analyzing the medicinal benefits of other substances shown to have potential (LSD, psilocybin, ketamine, MDMA), Estes-Jones stated:
“From a natural healthcare perspective, there is a reason why mental health professionals are fighting to have those types of things decriminalized. We have had people have total life 180s with cannabis. It’s not because it’s a cure-all, it’s not because it’s a miracle, but because people are using it as a health and wellness tool, and they’re able to integrate it into their life to make themselves feel better. We’re seeing that a lot.”
The recreational sales were supposed to open on Monday, February 6. However, Saturday, February 4, was the first day of wide-scale recreational sales. The store was informed they could open early on Friday, and much of the day was spent configuring equipment.
February 4 saw the store reach 3.5x the average sales numbers.
“It was fast, it was furious, but it was absolutely fantastic. Our staff worked together extremely well; everyone who came through was very patient and very understanding. We had a few people who were brand new, with only a couple days on the sales floor, but they did incredibly. One of our supervisors had a step count of over 21,000 just from being here,” Estes-Jones laughed, “but it was a great day. It was incredible to be a part of such a historic moment. To know that those people left with really high-quality products, much better than they would get on the black market, felt really good to me.”
