Missouri’s marijuana industry contributed significantly to the state’s revenues. This allowed for substantial funding to be allocated to veterans’ services and drug addiction treatment program. In the years since medical marijuana was legalized in 2018, and then recreational in 2022 the state collected $150 million through taxes and fees.
Revenue Distribution
The Missouri constitutional amendments that legalized cannabis specify how the collected revenue will be allocated.
• Veterans ServicesMissouri Veterans Commission: Revenues from sales of medical marijuana have brought in nearly $40 Million, $13Million for the current financial year.
• Drug Addiction TreatmentDepartment of Health and Senior Services uses its portion to finance grants aimed to increase access to low barrier drug addiction treatment based on evidence.
• Legal AidMissouri State Public Defender System receives money to help provide legal aid to residents who are low income.
Since legalization, Missouri has allocated more than $19 millions in cannabis revenues to these projects.
Future Projections
Amy Moore of the Division of Cannabis Regulation told the House Veterans Committee of Missouri that it is expected the Missouri Veterans Commission will receive approximately $19 million in marijuana revenue by the time the fiscal year, which ends July 1, expires. The Missouri Veterans Commission is expected to receive about $19 million from marijuana sales revenue before the current fiscal year ends on July 1.