Missouri Veterans Commission receives $5 million from medicinal cannabis program

The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services announced May 18 that it would transfer $5 million to the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC). According to a press release, this is the third money transfer to the organization, which now totals $13,978,820.

Medical Marijuana Director Lyndall Fraker made a statement about the advances being made for medical patients. “Today, patients are served by more than 180 pharmacies in Missouri — a 20% increase from last fall,” Fraker said. “We are pleased that the veterans mentored by MVC continue to benefit from these contributions.”

Paul Kirchhoff, executive director of the Missouri Veterans Commission, also commended the continued support. “MVC will use these new funds to increase support for Missouri veterans and veteran operations at seven facilities statewide,” Kirchhoff said.

Missouri residents voted to approve Amendment 2 (also known as Article XIV) in November 2018. “The amendment includes a provision that requires that fees and taxes generated by the medical marijuana program, less operating expenses, be remitted to the MVC for health and care services for military veterans,” a press release reads. “Article XIV states that medical marijuana sold in licensed dispensaries is taxed at a rate of 4%.”

Sales began in October 2020 and since then has generated more than $335 million in sales proceeds. The Riverfront Times reports that April was a particularly lucrative month for medicinal cannabis sales, with a total of $36.76 million raised during the month and $2.85 million raised on April 20 .

The MVC has received nearly $14 million as a result of the medicinal cannabis program. The first was a total of $2.1 million in fall 2020, followed by $6.8 million in 2021. Another transfer is planned for this fall.

The state has licensed 188 licensed pharmacies, 48 ​​growing facilities, and 69 product manufacturers to serve the state’s 185,000 patients. “Per Article IX of the state constitution, Missouri residents with cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, and 20 other qualifying conditions may purchase or grow medical cannabis with a doctor’s license,” the Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association wrote in a September 2021 publication. “The law also empowers physicians to certify patients with other chronic and debilitating conditions who might benefit from medical marijuana and protects their right to such discussions.”

While medical cannabis is thriving, supporters of an adult-use initiative have also been working on a legalization effort. On May 9, the Legal Missouri 2022 campaign group provided twice the number of signatures needed to get the issue on the November 2022 ballot.

Legal Missouri 2022 campaign manager John Payne shared details of the milestone. said Payne. “This widespread and enthusiastic show of support from the people of Missouri exceeds our expectations. We look forward to the timely review and certification of our petition by the Office of the Secretary of State as we continue to educate and inform constituents over the coming weeks and months.”

If made law, the initiative would make it legal for adults over the age of 21 to possess, use, buy and grow cannabis. It would also help erase the records of those who have cannabis convictions on their records.

On May 10, Missouri lawmakers also approved a measure disclosing records related to medicinal cannabis. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Peter Merideth, aims to allow lawmakers access to specific information so they can investigate whether the state has properly used its powers in approving/denying cannabis licenses, whether license availability needs to be increased, and much more – everything this is information whose access is currently prohibited by the legislature due to the constitutional amendment.