(The Center Square) – Tax revenue generated from the sale of recreational marijuana totaling $10.9 million was allocated to Missouri state agencies per the state constitution.
The amount was split three ways: to the state’s Veterans Commission, Public Defender and the Department of Health and Senior Services. Each organization received $3,639,448, according to information from the Department of Health and Senior Services.
Adult-use marijuana sold in licensed dispensaries is taxed at a rate of 6%. Medical marijuana is taxed at 4%.
Missouri voters approved recreational marijuana in 2022 and approved medical marijuana in 2018.
Last October, $13 million in tax revenue from medical marijuana was allocated to the same three agencies as each received $1,278,973.
The constitution requires the allocation for the Veterans Commission to be used exclusively for health care and other services for military veterans and their dependent families. Funds allocated to the public defender can only be used for legal assistance for low-income citizens.
The allocation to the Department of Health and Human Services must be used to operate a grant program to increase access to evidence-based, low barrier drug addiction treatment. Grant recipients must prioritize medically proven treatment and overdose prevention and reversal methods. Public or private treatment options can be funded with an emphasis on reintegrating recipients into their local communities. Overdose education, job placement, housing and counseling programs also are eligible for the funds.
The Department of Health and Senior Services reported $302.2 million in medical marijuana sales in 2023, down from $390.2 million in 2022. The department reported $1.036 billion in adult-use sales in 2023, its first year.
The department reported $301.7 million in adult-use sales during the first quarter of 2024 and $317.6 million during the second quarter. Medical marijuana sales were $46.2 million during the first quarter of this year and $45.6 million during the second quarter.