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Kansas City may soon allow marijuana lounges within its city limits, offering a new way for residents to consume cannabis legally in designated spaces.
Kansas City Councilmember Wes Rogers introduced the proposal at the City Planning Commission meeting on September 17, and the commission voted 5-1 in favor, sending it to committee for further review. If approved, it would then head to the full City Council for a final decision.
This move comes as Missouri’s cannabis industry continues to grow rapidly following the legalization of recreational marijuana in December 2022.
Missouri’s Cannabis Boom
Missouri’s cannabis market has been thriving, creating thousands of jobs and bringing in substantial revenue for the state and local governments. According to the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, the industry now generates more than $241 million in annual sales tax revenue.
The proposed marijuana lounges could further boost local economic activity, especially by creating new opportunities for small business owners.
| Category | Amount/Detail |
|---|---|
| Recreational Marijuana Legalized | December 2022 |
| Annual Sales Tax Revenue from Cannabis | $241+ million |
| Planning Commission Vote | 5-1 in favor |
| Next Step | Committee review, then City Council vote |
Rogers believes lounges could open doors for “mom-and-pop” cannabis shops, which often struggle to break into an industry dominated by larger corporate players.
Why Kansas City Wants Marijuana Lounges
Councilmember Wes Rogers argues that marijuana lounges would give residents a safe, regulated place to consume cannabis, much like bars do with alcohol.
“I support it. I think it’s been great for the tax rolls and it’s brought a lot of money to our state,” Rogers said. “But the goal here is to make sure small business owners can benefit from it, too.”
Currently, Missouri law allows the sale and possession of marijuana but prohibits public consumption. This leaves many residents—especially renters and tourists—without legal places to use it.
Rogers says lounges could solve that problem while also helping the city better regulate an already legal product.
“We will have regulations to go with this, and the trick is getting regulations right so people can partake in something legal safely,” he noted.
Potential Impact on Local Economy
If approved, marijuana lounges could spark a wave of new business licenses, jobs, and tourism opportunities in Kansas City. They could also:
- Create new revenue streams for the city through licensing and taxes
- Provide safe spaces for consumption to reduce public-use violations
- Level the playing field for small local cannabis entrepreneurs
- Boost foot traffic in business districts, particularly at night
However, city officials must still draft a detailed ordinance outlining safety, ventilation, location restrictions, licensing requirements, and enforcement measures before lounges can open.
What Happens Next
The proposal is still in its early stages, and no official ordinance has been written yet. The next steps will involve:
- Drafting an ordinance by city staff
- Committee review and public hearings
- Full City Council vote
If passed, Kansas City would become one of the first cities in Missouri to allow cannabis lounges, setting a precedent for others across the state.
Kansas City could soon pioneer marijuana lounges, giving residents and visitors a safe, regulated environment to consume cannabis while boosting local economic growth.
While the proposal is still developing, Councilmember Wes Rogers sees it as an opportunity to support small businesses, increase tax revenue, and modernize the city’s cannabis policies. The coming weeks will determine if Kansas City joins the growing list of U.S. cities embracing this new concept.