Des Morris talks about The Wholesome Bud Company’s appeal

The Wholesome Bud Company has been a visible and vocal presence in the Missouri medical marijuana industry since its inception. The leadership, especially CEO Des Morris, has traveled the state, supporting industry growth, speaking, and championing the birth of a new industry.

But so far the company has yet to acquire a license in to cultivate or manufacture, and while Wholesome Bud does have a pending dispensary license the company announced they will pursue an appeal for their license.

Morris took time to speak with Greenway and talk about the appeals process and The Wholesome Bud Company.

What’s next for The Wholesome Bud Company?

We plan to appeal the DHSS and their decision to deny us licenses.

What was your first thought when you got your first denial?

I was utterly shocked at the score. When we worked so hard and devoted so much time, money and effort into the project it was like getting kicked in the mouth.

What surprised you most about your cultivation scoring?

I was surprised we received zero for legal market experience. We have been assisting in building this program from the very beginning in Missouri, we developed an extensive network of qualified experienced business leaders from other states in order to help guide us through operations. Getting the low score for diversity. Our team is comprised of mostly minorities, females, and veterans, our business plan accounted heavily for uplifting disenfranchised communities, I felt like I failed these communities.

What did you learn from comparing your cultivation and manufacturing scores?

Shock at the score differences. Our score was 30 points away from being awarded a license. It feels worse being so close. The manufacturing license would have been ours if we receive the bonus points for geographic location. We selected our property and received city approvals before there were any bonuses for certain locations. We were shocked our cultivation received zero for legal market experience and manufacturing received all the points, being a combined facility our team for cultivation and manufacturing are the same. We were shocked the same facility location received over 100 points different score for security. Those points would have put us well within the mark for cultivation. We feel as the scoring was arbitrary and subjective.

Cultivation isn’t geographically tied, but there’s not much in southwest Missouri. What has been the community response?

Devastation, I receive calls and emails everyday from folks disappointed there won’t be an opportunity to cultivate in a commercial facility. These are highly credentialed talented people. The local community is shocked and still trying to figure out what to do next. We want to fight for Springfield to have the opportunity to participate in the industry and that’s part of why we are filing the appeal.

What makes your applicant group unique?

We are a group of local SW missouri residents who believe in using the opportunities cannabis brings to uplift communities, we are led by an African American chemist who owns a thriving service business in Springfield, he studies the endocannabinoid system and want to develop novel treatment methodologies to suffering help patients. Through connections made outside of the state we can bring unique intellectual property, growing methodologies, and more to the area. We were planning to use local vendors, and hiring contractors from the local community. To bring local people together, and bridge the gap between disenfranchised communities. We have years combined experience home growing cannabis and growing cannabis on our team these folks would be led by a female horticulturist who received her masters in plant science.

We had raised over $800 thousand dollars for this project, and had been walking alongside the DHSS and local municipal leaders every step of the way. Participating in every public forum and advisory committee meeting as the program developed.

Since our families are here and call Southwest Missouri our home we are committed to rolling out a patient first business consistent with the values of the community.

What’s your best case scenario?

The best case scenario is the department settles the appeal by granting us the licenses we set out for. We feel it is our God given right to participate in this industry and will not be denied.