St. Louis Bill to Extend Dispensary Hours Moves Closer to Becoming Law

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A new bill that would allow marijuana dispensaries in St. Louis to extend their operating hours until midnight is one step closer to becoming law. Currently, most dispensaries in the city are required to close by 8 p.m., a restriction that some argue has caused them to lose out on sales to neighboring counties with later closing times.

Board Bill 15, sponsored by Alderman Rasheen Aldridge and supported by Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, aims to change that by permitting all dispensaries within city limits to stay open until midnight. Proponents of the bill argue that this change would not only increase business revenues but also boost the city's tax income.

"We found no issues with crime, no issues with safety," Sonnier said, highlighting the rigorous security measures already in place at dispensaries. "These are some of the safest facilities in terms of having multiple identification checks just to enter their premises. I think now is the prime time for us to revisit and have this conversation."

Dispensary operators like Jack Haddox, Director of Retail Operations for Swade Dispensary, have already experienced the benefits of extended hours in certain districts. "That nightlife doesn't get going till later at night," Haddox noted. "This helps us serve a wider berth of customers, for a longer period, and ultimately make more money for the business and the city."

Without the extended hours, Sonnier believes the city is missing out on additional tax revenue, which is crucial given recent financial challenges. "We're projected to rake in $2.4 million in tax revenue from dispensaries. Obviously, at a time when we recently took a hit to our earnings tax, we are exploring all options," she said.

However, not everyone is in favor of the change. St. Louis resident and business owner Louise Marler, who owns an art gallery off Cherokee Street, expressed concerns about the potential for increased noise and safety issues in certain neighborhoods. "Noise is the problem for me," Marler said. "When I moved in here, there was not a dispensary or a bar on the block. So that's changed the climate quite a bit."

Marler is also worried about security outside of dispensaries. "They always say they have their own security. However, they're not outside. They're inside," she pointed out.

Haddox countered these concerns by arguing that extended hours could actually enhance safety. "If anything, it makes it safer. We're open, that means there's more people, more eyes, more visibility on everything around us," he said.

The bill is expected to move out of committee on Wednesday and will then be presented to the full Board of Aldermen at the end of the week. If passed, the new law could have significant implications for both local businesses and residents as St. Louis continues to navigate the evolving landscape of cannabis regulation.