Columbia Qualifications of applicant ordinance (§ 13-422)
Chapter 13: Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations · Article XIII. Marijuana Business Licensing
In short: Applicants for a license under this article must be of good moral character, with criminal history considered as state law permits, and must have lived in Missouri at least one year. A license can't be denied or revoked solely because an employee has an unrelated felony, unless that employee is directly responsible for retail medical marijuana sales; facilities must report such employees to the business services administrator.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) No applicant shall be granted a license under this article unless the applicant is of good moral character. In determining whether an applicant is of good moral character, the applicant's criminal history shall be considered as permitted under state law.
(b) No person shall be granted a license under this article unless the person is a resident of the State of Missouri for at least one (1) year prior to application.
(c) No license issued under this article shall be denied, suspended, revoked or otherwise affected based solely on the fact that an employee of the licensee has been convicted of a felony unrelated to marijuana activities so long as any such employee is not directly responsible for the retail sale of medical marijuana. Each licensed medical marijuana facility shall report the identity of any employee convicted of a felony to the business services administrator.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 13-422
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.