Under the amendment, non-medicinal pot use became legal in the state in December. But sales were stalled because the health department had until Friday to issue business licenses.
If the agency does not approve or deny licenses by Friday, dispensaries that previously only sold medical marijuana will automatically be permitted to sell recreational pot as well.
LEGALIZING POT IS NOT GOOD FOR NEW YORK OR THE US
Legal recreational pot sales began Friday for Missouri adults. This makes Missouri the 21st state to legally sell marijuana recreationally.
Department of Health and Senior Services spokeswoman Lisa Cox on Thursday said the agency would begin approving licenses Friday. She said almost all of the state's medical marijuana dispensaries applied to sell recreational pot.
The amendment also calls for the expungement of records of past arrests and convictions for nonviolent marijuana offenses, except for selling to minors or driving under the influence.