A state-of-the-art cultivating, and processing facility in Vandalia is up and running.

In 2019 Standard Wellness applied for and received both cultivation and processing licenses in Kansas City and Vandalia. Standard Wellness is located at 44243 Highway V, in Vandalia.

During a tour and ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 8, visitors were shown the massive facility where the product is being cultivated.

"We control airflow, temperature, humidity and have HVAC systems in place to put out the very best product," said Katie Hart, vice-president of expansion and development. The total cost to get the facility started was $15 million. There are currently 20 people employed. "We are looking to hire 13 more in the next 35 days. When we are full scale, 47 people will be on staff here at our Vandalia facility," said Hart.

The starting wage for a cultivator is $14.75 to $16.25/hour (depending on experience), with health benefits and a 401k offered. Those interested can apply at standardwellness.com/careers.

Once adult use of marijuana rolls out in Missouri, Standard Wellness projects a monthly revenue of $2 million in retail sales and $1 million in wholesale. The Standard Wellness building in Vandalia is the first three-tier marijuana grow facility in Missouri.

Voters in Missouri passed Amendment 3 during the November general election. Amendment 3 legalized recreational marijuana in the state for those 21 and older. A Missouri dispensary could legally sell recreational marijuana products or possibly grow their own marijuana, if approved by the state, on Feb. 6, 2023. After 270 days, on Sept. 6, 2023, Missouri can also start handing out “micro-business” licenses for smaller Missouri dispensaries in each of Missouri’s eight congressional districts to sell recreational marijuana.

Representatives from Standard Wellness say once that happens adult usage is likely to increase in Missouri by about 200% which create a huge demand for product.