Planning Commission OKs recommendation for 24-hour cannabis drive-through; heads to council Oct. 20

The Blue Springs Planning Commission voted Oct. 13 to recommend approval of Conditional Use Permit CUP08259677, allowing Kansas City Cannabis Company to operate its drive-through 24 hours a day, subject to two staff conditions. The matter will be heard by the City Council on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, at 6 p.m.

Planner Chantelle Fry told the commission the applicant seeks to operate a drive-through that uses a drawer-and-camera transaction system so customers do not have direct face-to-face contact. Fry said the applicant proposed armed security on-site at all times and that the retail lobby would remain closed outside of normal retail hours. Staff found the proposal compatible with surrounding land uses and recommended approval with two conditions listed in the staff report. "Based on the review criteria, staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit with the 2 conditions that are last listed in the staff report," Fry said.

Dan Nelson, CEO of Kansas City Cannabis Company, described operations at five metro locations and cited a test of overnight hours at a Lake Latawanna location. Nelson said the Lake Latawanna test, conducted on Friday and Saturday nights over about a year, produced "zero incidents." He told commissioners the company has engaged with first responders during site build-out and has invested in significant security systems.

Commissioners asked staff to clarify current approved retail hours (Fry confirmed the existing closing time is 10 p.m., changed citywide from an earlier 8 p.m. limit). Commissioners also questioned the applicant about coordination with police and community impacts; Nelson said the business installed cameras, invited police during build-out, and invested about $200,000 in security equipment.

On a roll-call vote the commission approved the recommendation to city council. The motion was passed and will be forwarded for council consideration on Oct. 20.