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The Art of Cannabis Procurement: A Commitment to Quality at MHW

MHW Dispensary

by MHW Dispensary | October 26, 2025

Moving Beyond Buzzwords: What "Widest Selection" Means to Us The phrase "Widest Selection" is often tossed around as casually as "World's Best" or "Lowest Price." These marketing terms have become meaningless clichés, used to sell anything from fast food to luxury goods. At MHW, however, "Widest Selection" is not just a catchy tagline; it’s a promise rooted in a meticulous approach to curating our product catalog. Our Procurement Team doesn’t settle for generic. They rely on feedback from our customers, patients, and staff, as well as robust data, to make informed decisions about which brands and products deserve a place on our shelves. We carefully evaluate vendors who prioritize quality and view price not as a race to the bottom, but as a way to deliver value. We offer products at every price point to cater to diverse needs, but our selection reflects intentionality and care. At MHW, a carefully curated shelf isn’t just a point of pride—it’s a cornerstone of our mission to deliver unparalleled cannabis experiences. The Importance of a Carefully Curated Shelf Every product on our shelves tells a story of customer-centric curation. We listen to our patients' feedback, consider staff expertise, and analyze purchase data to identify products that align with our customers' values and needs. Whether you’re seeking budget-friendly options or premium brands, we ensure that every product meets our rigorous quality standards. This approach allows us to strike a balance: a diverse selection that offers variety without compromising on intentionality. Our partnerships with vendors are another critical factor. We seek out brands that care about standing out through exceptional quality and innovation, not just price-driven competition. This commitment to curation enables us to create a shopping experience that feels personal and trustworthy. Resisting the Corporate Model: The Power of Specialization One of the reasons we excel in cannabis procurement is our independence. Unlike vertically integrated companies, which grow, manufacture, and sell their own products, MHW focuses exclusively on retail. This specialization gives us the freedom to prioritize quality and choice over profit margins. Corporate cannabis, dominated by Multi-State Operators (MSOs), often funnels their own mass-produced products into stores, sidelining independent brands in favor of maximizing their bottom line. At MHW, we reject this one-size-fits-all approach. Our goal is to showcase the best products from diverse sources, ensuring customers always have access to high-quality options. By standing strong against corporate dominance in Missouri's cannabis market, we’ve not only stayed in business but thrived. Our expertise in retail and passion for procurement empower us to offer a superior customer experience without succumbing to the pressures of vertical integration. Thriving as an Independent in a Corporate-Dominated Industry Despite the rise of corporate cannabis, MHW has carved out a unique space by focusing on relationships and authenticity. While our competitors spend heavily on marketing and create flashy, Apple Store-like dispensaries, we invest in our community and our customers. One of our most innovative initiatives is Missouri’s first-ever cannabis subscription club. This program, along with our comprehensive loyalty program, fosters long-term customer relationships by rewarding loyalty with exclusive deals, curated offers, and meaningful perks. We leverage these customer-first strategies to compete with corporate giants who prioritize profit margins over quality. By staying true to our values, we’ve not only survived in a challenging industry but set a new standard for independent cannabis retail. Loud and Proud: Staying True to Our Mission As we look to the future, MHW is doubling down on its commitment to quality and curation. In the face of growing corporate dominance, we remain unapologetically loud about our values. We support local and independent brands, offering customers an alternative to the mass-produced products dominating the market. Our mission is clear: to redefine what it means to deliver the "Widest Selection" by focusing on quality, trust, and authenticity. We invite you to join us in celebrating cannabis done right—thoughtfully, independently, and with the customer at heart.


Moving Beyond Buzzwords: What "Widest Selection" Means to Us

The phrase "Widest Selection" is often tossed around as casually as "World's Best" or "Lowest Price." These marketing terms have become meaningless clichés, used to sell anything from fast food to luxury goods. At MHW, however, "Widest Selection" is not just a catchy tagline; it’s a promise rooted in a meticulous approach to curating our product catalog.

Our Procurement Team doesn’t settle for generic. They rely on feedback from our customers, patients, and staff, as well as robust data, to make informed decisions about which brands and products deserve a place on our shelves. We carefully evaluate vendors who prioritize quality and view price not as a race to the bottom, but as a way to deliver value.

We offer products at every price point to cater to diverse needs, but our selection reflects intentionality and care. At MHW, a carefully curated shelf isn’t just a point of pride—it’s a cornerstone of our mission to deliver unparalleled cannabis experiences.

The Importance of a Carefully Curated Shelf

Every product on our shelves tells a story of customer-centric curation. We listen to our patients' feedback, consider staff expertise, and analyze purchase data to identify products that align with our customers' values and needs.

Whether you’re seeking budget-friendly options or premium brands, we ensure that every product meets our rigorous quality standards. This approach allows us to strike a balance: a diverse selection that offers variety without compromising on intentionality.

Our partnerships with vendors are another critical factor. We seek out brands that care about standing out through exceptional quality and innovation, not just price-driven competition. This commitment to curation enables us to create a shopping experience that feels personal and trustworthy.

Resisting the Corporate Model: The Power of Specialization

One of the reasons we excel in cannabis procurement is our independence. Unlike vertically integrated companies, which grow, manufacture, and sell their own products, MHW focuses exclusively on retail. This specialization gives us the freedom to prioritize quality and choice over profit margins.

Corporate cannabis, dominated by Multi-State Operators (MSOs), often funnels their own mass-produced products into stores, sidelining independent brands in favor of maximizing their bottom line. At MHW, we reject this one-size-fits-all approach. Our goal is to showcase the best products from diverse sources, ensuring customers always have access to high-quality options.

By standing strong against corporate dominance in Missouri's cannabis market, we’ve not only stayed in business but thrived. Our expertise in retail and passion for procurement empower us to offer a superior customer experience without succumbing to the pressures of vertical integration.

Thriving as an Independent in a Corporate-Dominated Industry

Despite the rise of corporate cannabis, MHW has carved out a unique space by focusing on relationships and authenticity. While our competitors spend heavily on marketing and create flashy, Apple Store-like dispensaries, we invest in our community and our customers.

One of our most innovative initiatives is Missouri’s first-ever cannabis subscription club. This program, along with our comprehensive loyalty program, fosters long-term customer relationships by rewarding loyalty with exclusive deals, curated offers, and meaningful perks.

We leverage these customer-first strategies to compete with corporate giants who prioritize profit margins over quality. By staying true to our values, we’ve not only survived in a challenging industry but set a new standard for independent cannabis retail.

Loud and Proud: Staying True to Our Mission

As we look to the future, MHW is doubling down on its commitment to quality and curation. In the face of growing corporate dominance, we remain unapologetically loud about our values. We support local and independent brands, offering customers an alternative to the mass-produced products dominating the market.

Our mission is clear: to redefine what it means to deliver the "Widest Selection" by focusing on quality, trust, and authenticity. We invite you to join us in celebrating cannabis done right—thoughtfully, independently, and with the customer at heart.


Related Articles

Dispensary Advertising | Missouri Health & Wellness Dispensaries

Dispensary Advertising

What Missouri Patients Should Know: 

You may have noticed a major change in our text communications and advertising lately. In July, Missouri’s Medical Marijuana Regulatory Agency (Department of Health and Human Services) warned Missouri dispensaries that they may be in violation of state regulations by advertising sales, discounts, or specific products. Dispensaries were directed to stop any type of promotional advertising/events immediately. According to an email that was acquired by the St. Louis Dispatch, “The Department views a promotional event as an activity, advertisement, or publicity designed to increase interest in purchasing medical marijuana or a particular product or brand of medical marijuana. For example, facilities are not allowed to advertise price discounts on a particular product because that would result in disbursing medical marijuana as part of a promotional event. “ 

In other words, our social media, text messaging service, and any other advertising has been greatly restricted except for very basic information. We realize how frustrating this has been  and want to make sure we do our best to communicate with our Patients, while remaining compliant with state regulations. As the medical program continues to mature in Missouri, we have nothing but “high hopes 😉” for new law interpretations and freedom of advertising, but in the meantime, we want to thank our Patients for sticking it out with us as we all continue to blaze the way for legal cannabis in Missouri. 

MHW

October 26, 2025

Cannabis & Holiday Stress | Missouri Health & Wellness Dispensaries

Cannabis & Holiday Stress

Discreet Options for Staying Medicated this Holiday Season 


The upcoming weeks will be filled with gatherings, cooking, prepping, planning, gift wrapping, lots of money spending, and everything in between. As the holidays close in it’s important to find the time and space to take a deep breath and destress, but who has time for that when there’s a ham that needs cooked!? 

Many Missourians are turning to cannabis to decompress and help ease stress and anxiety. But what about Uncle Bob finding out? A lot of us are still fighting the great fight of ending the cannabis stigma. For many of us, medicating at a family event is even more taboo than cannabis itself, and while we want Uncle Bob on board, we realize this just isn’t always going to be the case. We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone in this- many of us are still facing the negative stigma surrounding cannabis. On the bright side, if you’re not looking to cause a dinner scuffle just yet- there are more discreet options of medicating to help keep those more stressful moments at bay.  

Edibles are going to be the most discreet way to medicate without leaving any smell behind. Missouri Health & Wellness offers a full edible line up ranging from chocolates & gummies to honey and & capsules. There are even some fun holiday flavors hitting shelves to add some extra holiday spice! Many patients prefer edibles to smoking not only for their discreetness, but also their effectiveness. 

If edibles aren’t really your jam, another discreet form of medicating would be a vaporizer. These are also known as cartridges and typically come threaded to be screwed into a battery- or a pen. Missouri Health & Wellness offers a wide variety of cartridges ranging in strains and dosages. When medicating with a vaporizer, the only thing you must do is ensure your battery is charged, other than that it’s practically effortless. Some cartridges will expel a mild cannabis smell upon use, but the good thing about vaporizers is the smell tends to dissipate rather quickly. Vaporizers typically are going to have a higher THC content with the idea that a patient only needs 1-2 puffs to start feeling the effects, making it super convenient for discreetness. 

So, whether you’re having an open conversation about cannabis at the dinner table, or hiding from Uncle Bob in the basement, there are options for you to medicate safely and discreetly. We hope you’ll stop in to one of our four locations so our Wellness Specialists can help find the perfect medicine for you over this holiday season. Afterall, it is your medicine. 

Happy Holidays! 

 


MHW

October 26, 2025

It’s My Medicine Canna-Stories: Real People, Real Medicine. Beka Part One.

Bekas Story Part 1

Imagine being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 14. Beka, now 35 and married with a fur-baby named Ryder, was in her 8th grade art class in 2001 when she started experiencing double-vision and was having trouble holding her pencil. Uncertain of what was happening, she asked to be excused to go to the bathroom and was having trouble walking so she had to cling to the wall to hold herself up. Unable to shake what was a going on she went to the school nurse and her family immediately took her to the hospital. After a barrage of tests and a brain scan that showed numerous lesions, she and her family were told she had brain tumors and was going to die. 

Her family wasn’t willing to accept that diagnosis and took her to another hospital where more doctors ran more tests and after 5 days Beka was finally diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Her brain scans showed over 20 lesions at age 14. 

Life for Beka and her family changed in an instant! They were faced with the reality that their little girl was going to need on-going care, so her mom changed professions to dedicate more time to her daughter. As they looked back at different incidents when Beka was younger, they realized there were symptoms some number of years prior to her actual diagnosis. It is very rare for someone so young to be diagnosed with this disease. Sorare, that a case study was published in 2001 about her Ring-Enhancing Lesions in Child (Journal of Child Neurology, Volume 17, Number 1, January 2002). 

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that impacts the brain and spinal cord which make up the central nervous system and controls everything we do. The exact cause of MS is unknown, but we do know that something triggers the immune system to attack the brain and spinal cord. The resulting damage to myelin, the protective layer insulating wire-like nerve fibers, disrupts signals to and from the brain. This interruption of communication signals causes unpredictable symptoms such as numbness, tingling, mood changes, memory problems, pain, fatigue, blindness and/or paralysis. (nationalmssociety.org) 

At age 14, Beka’s life-long journey with this disease had just begun. Read more about her Canna-Story in next month’s newsletter. 

Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products. 

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this Patient story is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read in this Patient story [OR ON MHW’S WEBSITE]. Missouri Health & Wellness, LLC makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained in this story [OR ON MHW’S WEBSITE] and if you choose to rely on any information provided by Missouri Health & Wellness, LLC (MHW), you do so solely at your own risk. 

MHW

October 26, 2025

Medical Marijuana & Gun Rights in Missouri

Medical Marijuana & Gun Rights in Missouri

Second Amendment Preservation Act 

I’m sure you’ve heard it by now- “I’m not getting my medical marijuana license because I don’t want to lose my gun rights.” This is one if not the most common reason many Missouri residents are hesitant to apply for their medical marijuana licenses. There is so much information out there between laws, articles, rules, regulations, social media, and everything in between it can become overwhelming trying to find credible information. We want to help untangle some of the misconceptions. Let’s start with what we know to be true: 

Truth #1: Medical Marijuana is legal for card holders in MO per constitutional amendment 2 Article XIV Section1. 

Truth #2: Marijuana is unfortunately still illegal in all forms at the federal level. 

Truth #3: The 10th Amendment to the American Constitution delegates police powers to the state- legal marijuana at the state level is a direct result of this amendment 

Truth #4: Missouri passed an emergency clause early this summer protecting the gun rights of medical marijuana patients. The bill, “Declares that laws, rules, orders, or other actions that collect data, restrict or prohibit the manufacture, ownership, and use of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition exclusively within THIS STATE exceed the powers granted to the federal government except to the extent they are necessary.” 

So what does all of that jargon mean for you, a Missouri resident and likely a Missouri Medical Marijuana patient? Bottom line, when it comes to Missouri residents, Medical Marijuana patients will NOT be denied their right to PURCHASE or POSSESS firearms. Please always consult a lawyer for any legal advice. 

Written by Hayley Escobar-Petersen 

References: 

 


MHW

October 26, 2025