Cannabis Industry in Missouri Thrives, Generating Billions in State and Local Revenue

Enough tax revenue from marijuana projected in 2024 to fully fund Missouri’s health and public safety departments.

Missouri’s cannabis industry has been thriving since legalization in 2020. With total sales reaching $2.5 billion, the industry has generated $370 million in state and local revenue, with nearly a billion coming from medical marijuana sales. The Missouri Cannabis Trade Association predicts that by 2024, the combined state and local tax revenue from cannabis sales will reach $238 million. This is more than Governor Mike Parson’s recommended funding for the Departments of Health & Senior Services and Public Safety in 2025.

Katie West, who manages a dispensary in Jefferson City, notes that the cannabis industry in Missouri continues to grow. The outlook for the industry looks promising, with significant contributions to state and local tax revenues expected in the coming years. Representatives from the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association believe that Missouri’s cannabis program sets an example for the rest of the country. People in Missouri are now able to access safe and legal marijuana products, which has generated excitement among consumers.

According to the state’s constitution, revenue generated from cannabis sales is allocated in a specific way. First, funds are used to cover the costs of regulating the industry. Then, funds are used for expunging past marijuana convictions. The remaining funds are divided among the state’s public defender system, drug treatment services, and the Missouri Veterans Commission. Overall, this allocation ensures that revenue generated from cannabis sales is used effectively to benefit both individuals and society as a whole.

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