By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent
Amy Moore, Director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation told a House Committee this week that the Missouri Veterans Commission is likely to receive around $19 million in marijuana sales revenue by the end of the fiscal year on July 1.
She said that if the budget recommendations of the governor are approved, it will be 22 million dollars next year.
Moore said that the governor’s recommendations were more than anticipated. “This is due to the unexpectedly strong sales, mainly on the adult use side.”
According to Moore’s presentation shared with the committee, since Missouri began selling marijuana in 2019, it has generated more than 150 million dollars in taxes and fees.
In the constitution of the state, there is a roadmap for how the money can be spent.
First, let’s look at operational costs. According to law, all expenses incurred for running medical marijuana and recreational marijuana programs – such as salaries or professional services – must be covered by marijuana revenue.
Presentation shows that the division received almost $50 million for its operating costs.
The Missouri Veterans Commission is entitled to the proceeds of medical marijuana sales after expenses. This was mandated by the 2018 constitutional amendment which legalized the use of medical marijuana. To date, nearly $40 million in medical marijuana sales revenue has gone to the commission–including $13 million this year.
The revenue road map for the adult use marijuana program is slightly different. It’s defined by Amendment 3 which was approved by voters on November 20, 2022.
The fund will be used to pay for the costs incurred by courts in expunging certain marijuana crimes off of criminal records.
The remaining revenues will be split into three categories: funding programs for drug addiction treatment, supporting veterans and increasing the budget of Missouri Public Defenders System.
Moore stated that each fund has already received $1.3 million but in his proposed supplemental budget for this year, the governor proposes an additional $5,000,000 to each.
In total, $19.3 millions will be spent on veterans’ support this year. $13 million of that amount comes from the sale of medical marijuana and $6.3 from adult-use.
Moore stated that the Governor’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year includes an extra $7.8 millions, bringing the total to $22 million.
Dave Griffith, state representative from Jefferson City, and chairman of the Veterans Committee, said that the numbers were encouraging.
He said, “The amount of commercial marijuana sales has exceeded all projections and expectations.” “Because they’ve done that, even more money will be going into this pool than was projected after [Amendment 3] was passed.”
Griffith stated that the Missouri Veterans Commission is responsible for three main responsibilities: maintaining veterans’ homes and cemeteries in Missouri and providing service officers who can assist veterans with their claims.
Griffith stated that his goal was to increase the annual allocation of $50 million for the commission, which would not be dependent on marijuana revenues.
Moore’s presentation came after the committee had discussed challenges some veterans have in obtaining their benefits. He said that the state needs to hire more officers to help them. This is why funding is important.
Griffith explained that many of the lawyers are so busy with their cases, it is difficult to meet with them. If we increase our number, we can try to reduce the wait times for many veterans.
This article was originally published by Missouri Independent.
Missouri sold more than $1.3 billion worth of legal marijuana in 2023, state figures show
The post Legal Marijuana sales in Missouri will bring in nearly $20 million to support veterans this fiscal year first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
