Suffering patients in Missouri who qualify for medical marijuana still can’t buy it at a store.

Why has it taken nearly two years for voter-approved medical marijuana to become commercially available in Missouri? That question should be the focus of an important debate between gubernatorial candidates Mike Parson and Nicole Galloway in the coming weeks.

Voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana in 2018. Some supporters of the industry insist a two-year time frame was always part of the plan. But it’s clear many patients expected the drug to be on sale by now.

In January, industry representative Jack Cardetti told The Star’s Editorial Board that licensed dispensaries would be open “this summer.” Others suggested June 2020 as the target start-up date for over-the-counter cannabis.

In April, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams said “July or August” was the likely start for retail medical cannabis sales.

Yet at the end of July, 33% of required marijuana facility inspections had yet to be performed. That includes 60 pot dispensaries that must be inspected before their doors can open. [Read more at The Kansas City Star]