A Missouri campaign, Missourians for a Single Market, has filed four versions of 2026 ballot initiatives to unify hemp and marijuana regulations, creating parity between the two industries. The proposals aim to revise the licensing system, amend current laws, and give lawmakers constitutional mandates to develop statutory rules, striking much of the language from the 2022 marijuana legalization law. The initiatives have differences in tax policies and regulatory authority over THC-infused beverages. The campaign plans to gather signatures for one version of the Single Market Amendment, but faces potential complications from proposed legislative changes to congressional district maps and signature requirements. Not everyone in the cannabis space supports the proposal, with some arguing it would "repeal" the voter-approved legalization law and primarily benefit the hemp market. Proponents, like Eapen Thampy, aim to end the "monopoly" and create a "free and regulated market." The initiatives include provisions such as no limits on licenses, geographic restrictions, or individual/entity licensing requirements stricter than those for alcohol or tobacco, no purchase/possession limits for marijuana or hemp, and allowing individuals to grow and sell their own cannabis directly to consumers or retailers. Other provisions include self-certification for medical marijuana patients, expungements for past cannabis convictions, and retroactive state-level tax relief for cannabis businesses. Tax proposals vary, with some imposing an 11% tax for the first 10 years, benefiting a veterans health fund, while others immediately adopt an alcohol parity taxing model.

Missouri Activists Push for Single Cannabis Market to Level the Playing Field for Hemp and Weed by 2026

Sep 9, 2025

Source:

Kyle Jaeger

Marijuana Moment

Missouri activists are pushing for a major shake-up with the "Single Market Amendment," a series of 2026 ballot initiatives designed to bridge the gap between the hemp and marijuana industries. By stripping away restrictive constitutional language from the 2022 legalization law, the campaign wants to hand regulatory power back to lawmakers to create a more open system. The goal is parity with alcohol and tobacco, featuring no limits on business licenses, lower fees, and the removal of possession or purchase caps. Most exciting for home growers, the proposal would even allow individuals to sell their own harvest to other adults or retailers.

This is a massive deal for Missouri tokers because it targets the current "monopoly" to lower prices and increase accessibility. By treating cannabis more like a standard commodity, it opens the door for small, local entrepreneurs to compete without the usual red tape. For regular users, this could mean a more diverse marketplace and the freedom to finally turn a hobby into a legal side hustle.