Missouri Allocates $19 Million in Cannabis Tax Revenue to Veterans, Treatment Programs, and Public Defense

LOS ANGELES- Missouri’s cannabis tax revenue has generated over $19 million, which has been allocated to support military veterans, expand substance use treatment programs, and fund the state’s Public Defenders System, according to the Missouri Independent. Last fall, each program received $1.3 million, with an additional $5.1 million each distributed earlier this month.

Amy Moore, director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation, expressed satisfaction with the program’s impact. “It is so rewarding to see the impact of this voter-approved program on organizations that provide vital services to Missourians,” she said.

The funds for the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) are used for healthcare and services for veterans and their families. The Public Defenders System uses the funds to cover legal fees for low-income residents, while the Department of Health and Human Services operates drug treatment programs that assist with job placement, housing, and counseling.

In March, Missouri set a new cannabis sales record, totaling $125 million. By January, adult-use cannabis sales had contributed $58 million in state revenue from taxes and fees, with $8.2 million covering operating costs. Additionally, cannabis-derived funds are used to cover court costs associated with expunging former cannabis-related crimes.

Since the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Missouri in 2022, $15 million from adult-use sales revenue was recently divided among the three primary beneficiaries. This amount is expected to reach $19 million by the end of the fiscal year on July 1. The MVC, Public Defender, and the Department of Health and Senior Services each received $5,076,434 in the latest distribution.

Moore indicated that the MVC is projected to receive a total of $19 million from cannabis sales revenue by the end of the fiscal year and expects this to increase to $22 million next year due to robust sales, particularly from adult-use cannabis. Missouri has collected nearly $99 million in medical cannabis revenue and over $57 million in adult-use revenue to date.

Representative Dave Griffith, chair of the veterans committee, noted the success of cannabis sales in Missouri and expressed a goal to increase annual funding to the MVC to $50 million to better serve veterans. He emphasized the need to reduce wait times for veterans seeking services.

As Missouri continues to benefit from legal cannabis, attention is also turning to psilocybin. The Missouri House Veterans Committee recently passed a psilocybin legalization bill, which, if approved, would allow veterans to use psilocybin therapy. Additionally, the Missouri House of Representatives approved a budget bill allocating $10 million for psilocybin research grants, focusing on its effects on opioid abuse disorder.

The ongoing success of cannabis tax revenue in Missouri highlights its significant impact on supporting veterans, public defense, and substance use treatment programs, while also paving the way for future initiatives in psychedelic therapy.