Today marks the first process in which the state of Missouri will start accepting money for medical marijuana licenses.

As of 8 am today, anyone wishing to pre-file their application fee may do so by hand delivering or mailing their non-refundable fee to the Department of Health and Senior Services.

In order to do so, an applicant must complete the Pre-Filed License Application Fee, and include the non-refundable fee(s) for which the applicant is seeking:

$10,000 cultivation facilities

$6,000 dispensary facilities

$6,000 medical marijuana-infused manufacturing facilities

Fees may be paid by personal or certified check, cashier’s check, or money order and it must be mailed along with the completed application form to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, FEE Receipt Unit, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570. The fee and application may also be personally delivered during business hours to the DHSS at 920 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109.

According to the Emergency Rule regarding the pre-filed fee, paying the fee in advance will not give you a competitive advantage in the application process:

The submittal of a pre-filed application fee does not guarantee a license shall be issued. An applicant who submits a pre-filed application fee and a completed Pre-Filed License Application Fee form shall not be considered for licensure until the applicant also submits a completed application for licensure.

Put another way, the pre-filed application fee will not be considered until August 3, 2019, when the Department starts accepting facility applications and your application is filed therewith. If anything, paying in advance may give you the peace of mind that your nonrefundable fee has been paid, received and cleared. It may also give you a psychological boost knowing that you now have real skin in the game.

Whether you choose to pre-file the fee or not, one thing is clear: medical marijuana is a reality in Missouri.