Eligibility Information

The Missouri Constitution provides that microbusinesses must be majority owned by individuals who meet at least one of the eligibility criteria set forth in Article XIV, Section 2. Applicants may claim more than one eligibility requirement on their application, however, it is not required.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Have a net worth of less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) and have had an income below two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty level, or a successor level, as set forth in the applicable calendar year’s federal poverty income guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or its successor agency, for at least three (3) of the ten (10) calendar years prior to applying for a microbusiness license; (See documentation requirements)
  2. Have a valid service-connected disability card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or successor agency; (See documentation requirements)
  3. Be a person who has been, or a person whose parent, guardian, or spouse has been arrested for, prosecuted for, or convicted of a non-violent marijuana offense at least one (1) year prior to the effective date of this section, unless the conviction—
    1. Involved provision of marijuana to a minor; or
    2. Was for driving under the influence of marijuana; (See documentation requirements)
  4. Reside in a ZIP code or census tract area where—
    1. Thirty percent (30%) or more of the population lives below the federal poverty level; or (See documentation requirements)
    2. The rate of unemployment is fifty percent (50%) higher than the state average rate of unemployment; or (See documentation requirements)
    3. The historic rate of incarceration for marijuana-related offenses is fifty percent (50%) higher than the rate for the entire state; or (See documentation requirements)
  5. Graduated from a school district that was unaccredited, or had a similar successor designation, at the time of graduation, or has lived in a ZIP code containing an unaccredited school district, or similar successor designation, for three (3) of the past five (5) years.
    (See documentation requirements for graduation)
    (See documentation requirements for residency)

What documentation is required?

For applicants claiming a net worth of less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) and low income:

  1. Sworn financial statements demonstrating a net worth at the time of the application of less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000). This includes all marital property, unless applicant provides evidence sufficient to demonstrate that property is not jointly owned; and
  2. Documentation establishing that the applicant’s gross household income was below two hundred and fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for at least three (3) of the last ten (10) years. Income for each year claimed may be established by tax returns, paycheck stubs summarizing the full income from the source for the year, W-2s, evidence of job loss, or other documentation sufficient to demonstrate gross income below two hundred and fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty level during the applicable year.

Federal poverty guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can be found here.

Click here to access a worksheet to assist with the calculation of net worth.

For applicants claiming a service-connected disability:

  1. A copy of the front of the applicant’s current veteran health identification card demonstrating a service-connected disability; or
  2. A copy of the applicant’s VA benefit summary letter, dated within six (6) months before the date of the application, demonstrating a service-connected disability; or
  3. A copy of the applicant’s VA award letter, dated within six (6) months before the date of the application, demonstrating a service-connected disability; or
  4. If none of these proofs are available, some other current evidence of service-connected disability which the department determines is sufficient proof of service-connected disability.

Additional information about obtaining veteran documentation can be found on the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

For applicants claiming an arrest, prosecution, or conviction for a non-violent marijuana offense:

  1. A copy of the relevant arrest record; or
  2. A copy of the relevant FBI background check; or
  3. A copy of the relevant arrest record and a letter from the prosecutor’s office indicating the charge filed; or
  4. A copy of the relevant arrest record and a certified copy of the judgment of conviction; or
  5. A copy of the relevant arrest record and a certificate of expungement from a court; or
  6. If none of these proofs are available, some other evidence of the arrest, prosecution, or conviction which the department determines is sufficient proof of arrest, prosecution, or conviction of a non-violent marijuana offense; and
  7. If the arrest, prosecution, or conviction was for the applicant’s parent, guardian, or spouse:
    1. A valid (not expired), government-issued photo ID of the parent, guardian, or spouse; and
    2. Proof of relationship:
      1. A certified copy of the applicant’s birth certificate; or
      2. A certified copy of the judgment of adoption or guardianship; or
      3. A certified copy of the marriage certificate; or
      4. If none of these proofs are available, some other evidence of relationship which the department determines is sufficient proof of relationship.

If providing a copy of the relevant FBI background check for documentation for this eligibility criteria, the FBI background check used for eligibility must be completed separately from the FBI background check required for owners.

For applicants claiming residency in a ZIP code or census tract area where either thirty percent (30%) or more of the population lives below the federal poverty level or the rate of unemployment is fifty percent (50%) higher than the state average:

  1. Two (2) separate types of utility bills (i.e. one water bill, one electric bill) dated within the last four (4) months, which must include:
    1. The name of the applicant;
    2. The dates of service;
    3. The service address; and
    4. The billing address; or
  2. A copy of a current residential lease, which must include the name of the applicant, the full address, the date the lease went in to effect and expires, and an affidavit from the applicant stating the applicant resides at that address; or
  3. A copy of a residential mortgage which includes the name of the applicant and the full address, and an affidavit from the applicant stating the applicant resides at that address; or
  4. A copy of the applicant’s real or personal property taxes, dated within the past twelve (12) months, which must include the applicant’s name and the date assessed.
  5. Other documentation sufficient to demonstrate residency; and
  6. Documentation or screenshot from the most recent 5-year estimates published by the American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau, for the department to verify the claimed resident ZIP code tabulation area or census tract contains the qualifying poverty or unemployment rate.

A list of qualifying Missouri zip codes for poverty and unemployment rates and qualifying Missouri census tracts for poverty and unemployment rates has been provided by the Department, using data from the most recent American Community Survey (2018-2022). If an applicant submits documentation sufficient to demonstrate residency in a listed ZIP code or census tract, the requirement to submit documentation or a screenshot from the most recent American Community Survey is waived.

For applicants claiming residency in a ZIP code or census tract area where the historic rate of incarceration for marijuana-related offenses is fifty percent (50%) higher than the rate for the entire state:

  1. Two (2) separate types of utility bills (i.e. one water bill, one electric bill) dated within the last four (4) months, which must include:
    1. The name of the applicant;
    2. The dates of service;
    3. The service address; and
    4. The billing address; or
  2. A copy of a current residential lease, which must include the name of the applicant, the full address, the date the lease went in to effect and expires, and an affidavit from the applicant stating the applicant resides at that address; or
  3. A copy of a residential mortgage which includes the name of the applicant and the full address, and an affidavit from the applicant stating the applicant resides at that address; or
  4. A copy of the applicant’s real or personal property taxes, dated within the past twelve (12) months, which must include the applicant’s name, address, and the date assessed.

A list of qualifying Missouri ZIP codes, using data obtained from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, is available here. For individuals residing in a different state, the application must include data from a comparable state authority sufficient to demonstrate the claimed resident ZIP code or census tract contains the qualifying incarceration rate for marijuana offenses.

For applicants claiming graduation from a school district that was unaccredited, or had a similar successor designation, at the time of graduation:

A list of qualifying Missouri school districts sorted by year and by ZIP code, provided by the Missouri Department Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), is available here.

  1. Documentation from the school district or a state accrediting authority sufficient for the department to verify that the school district was unaccredited at the time of graduation; and
  2. A certified copy of the applicant’s high school diploma; or
  3. A letter from the applicant’s high school demonstrating that the applicant graduated from the school and the year the applicant graduated.

A list of qualifying Missouri school districts by year, provided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), is available here. If an applicant submits documentation demonstrating graduation from one of these school districts during a year it was unaccredited, the requirement to submit documentation from the school district or state accrediting authority is waived. This list provides unaccredited school districts from 1993 – 2023. Per DESE there were no unaccredited schools in Missouri from 2018-2023. Those seeking documentation prior to 1993 may contact the school directly or the Division of Cannabis Regulation to verify accreditation status of the school.

For individuals residing in a different state, the application must include data from a comparable state authority sufficient to demonstrate the claimed school district was unaccredited at the time of graduation.

For applicants claiming residency in a ZIP code containing an unaccredited school district, or similar successor designation for three (3) of the past five (5) years:

A list of qualifying Missouri school districts sorted by year and by ZIP code, provided by the Missouri Department Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), is available here.

  1. Documentation from the school district or a state accrediting authority sufficient for the department to verify that the school district was unaccredited during at least one (1) of the three (3) years the applicant resided in the school district; and
  2. A copy of two (2) separate types of utility bills (i.e. one water bill, one electric bill,) for each quarter of the three (3) years that the applicant claims to have lived in said location which must include:
    1. The name of the applicant;
    2. The dates of service;
    3. The service address; and
    4. The billing address; or
  3. Copies of residential leases for three (3) of the past five (5) years, which must include the name of the applicant, the full address, and the effective date and the expiration date of the lease; or
  4. A copy of a residential mortgage which includes the name of the applicant and the address, along with an affidavit that the applicant resided at that address during the applicable years; or
  5. A copy of three (3) of the last five (5) years’ real or personal property taxes for the applicant, which must include the applicant’s name, address, and the date; or
  6. An applicant may provide any of the acceptable types of documentation for each year they are claiming residency in the ZIP code (i.e., utility bills from one year, lease from a separate year, and property taxes for a third year).

A list of qualifying Missouri school districts by year, provided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), is available here. This list provides unaccredited school districts from 1993 – 2023. Per DESE there were no unaccredited schools in Missouri from 2018-2023. If an applicant demonstrates residency in one of these ZIP codes for three (3) of the past five (5) years and the school district was unaccredited during at least one (1) of the three (3) years the applicant resided in the school district, the requirement to submit documentation from the school district or state accrediting authority is waived.

For individuals residing in a different state, the application must include data from a comparable state authority sufficient to demonstrate the claimed school district was unaccredited at the time of residency.

Eligibility Tools