Adolphus Busch talks Current Cannabis: Teal’s next step in Missouri marijuana

Current Cannabis, the first dispensary location from Teal, is poised to become one of Missouri’s most anticipated new retail openings this summer.

For Adolphus Busch, CEO of Teal, the retail launch marks not only an expansion of the company’s footprint but a continuation of his personal and professional legacy grounded in the values of quality, community, and conservation.

“The name came from my passion for rivers and the outdoors, and it’s just a happy coincidence that the Current River is one of the cleanest and most beautiful rivers in Missouri,” Busch told Greenway.

Drawing inspiration from his deep love of whitewater kayaking and environmental stewardship, Busch said the brand’s name is “really about that idea of flow — what’s happening now, current deals, current trends, but also the actual current of a river.”

The new dispensary will be located in South County at Telegraph and 255, one of the busiest intersections in the region. The 5,500-square-foot retail space is part of a small strip development shared only with a pain management clinic and boasts ample parking — more than 75 spaces, even during peak hours. “It’s just a fantastic location,” Busch said. “We’re the first dispensary you hit when coming over from Illinois on 255.”

Though the facility buildout took longer than expected, Busch emphasized the importance of readiness over rushing. “We were planning on a soft opening before 4/20, but we ran into a delay with our security company and display case vendor. And honestly, we didn’t want to open unless the customer experience was dialed in. We want it to be great from day one.”

Busch credited much of the retail planning success to the collaborative spirit within the Missouri cannabis industry, citing friends and colleagues from a handful of Missouri operations and retailers. “People like Sarah Swaim, Mario Gadea, Jack Haddox, and Laura Connolly have been incredibly helpful. Whether it’s SOPs, floorplans, or vendor suggestions, folks in this industry are willing to help each other out.”

 
  

The process of acquiring the license for Current Cannabis was unique, with Busch explaining what went into securing a license after the initial award period.

“We dismissed 29 appeals in exchange for one dispensary license,” Busch explained. “It took a long time — we started with just three manufacturing licenses and appealed eight denied applications. But by partnering with other companies to bundle our appeals, we were able to reach a settlement that got us here.”

With Teal now operating its own dispensary, Busch acknowledged the benefits this retail presence brings. “It’s not going to change our lives overnight — one store doesn’t make you a big vertical. But it will give us a better understanding of real-time market trends and allow us to sell our own products directly to consumers.”

For Busch, the opening of Current is about more than just expanding vertically. “We’re not just trying to stack licenses. We’re trying to build something lasting, something that reflects our values. The same level of detail and thought that we’ve put into our products — we’re putting into this retail experience.”

Teal’s product lineup, which includes HiGH FiVE gummies and STiRiBLES, has become a mainstay in Missouri’s cannabis market. As an independent manufacturer, Busch said the launch of Current will reinforce relationships with retailers who have supported the brand, while offering new opportunities for partnerships. “We’ve survived and grown in a market full of national verticals. That shows we’re doing something right.”

While an official grand opening date has not yet been announced, Busch said the soft opening is targeted for May with a full launch expected in June. “We’re excited, and we’re ready — almost. But when the doors open, we want customers to feel the difference right away.”