Missouri Auditor Launches Probe into State’s Cannabis Programs

NEW YORK– Scott Fitzpatrick, the Missouri State Auditor, has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the state’s adult-use and medical cannabis programs. This move aims to ensure the adherence of these programs to legal standards, KCTV reports. The audit will span a period of five years, from the inception of the medical cannabis program in 2018 until June 30, 2023.

In a pivotal move, Missouri voters had given the green light to a constitutional amendment legalizing medical cannabis back in November 2018. Following its success, another amendment that sought the legalization of adult-use cannabis was approved in 2022.

Highlighting the significance of these decisions, Fitzpatrick commented on the substantial amendments made to the state constitution due to cannabis legalization. He pointed out that they “represent some of the most consequential changes” witnessed in recent times. Remarkably, the amendments related to cannabis legalization now constitute over “one-fifth of the language” present in the Missouri State Constitution.

This audit comes at a critical juncture. The state is gearing up to issue its inaugural batch of microbusiness licenses. Furthermore, there has been increased scrutiny in recent times, especially following an incident where more than 63,000 cannabis products were recalled. These products had bypassed the state’s seed-to-sale inventory system, sparking concerns about regulatory oversight.

The primary goal of the audit, as outlined by Fitzpatrick’s office, is to maintain transparency, ensure accountability, and bolster the integrity of the state’s burgeoning cannabis industry.

As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders from various sectors, including the cannabis industry, political analysts, and the general public, will be closely monitoring the outcomes and implications of the audit.