The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has transferred $10,918,344 in funds generated by Missouri’s adult-use marijuana program to various state agencies, as outlined in Article XIV, Section 2, of the Missouri Constitution. This allocation aims to support health care services for veterans, legal assistance for low-income residents, and drug addiction treatment programs.
The recipients of the funds include:
- Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC): Receiving $3,639,448 to be used exclusively for health care and other services for military veterans and their dependent families.
- Missouri State Public Defender: Granted $3,639,448 to provide legal assistance to low-income Missourians.
- DHSS: Allocated $3,639,448 to operate a grant program that increases access to evidence-based, low-barrier drug addiction treatments. This includes medically proven treatment and overdose prevention methods, public or private treatment options, and reintegration support for individuals with substance use disorders. The funds will also support overdose prevention education and job placement, housing, and counseling services.
In November 2022, Missouri voters approved an amendment that required the fees and taxes generated by the adult-use marijuana program to be transferred to MVC, the Missouri State Public Defender, and DHSS for the specified purposes. Article XIV, Section 2, mandates that adult use marijuana sold in licensed dispensaries be taxed at a rate of 6%.
For more information on Missouri’s medical and adult use marijuana programs, visit Cannabis.Mo.Gov.
