The Missouri Veterans Commission has received a $6.8 million donation from the sale of medical marijuana to fund veterans programs in the state.
Medical marijuana has produced more than $113 million in sales in Missouri in less than a year. And military veterans from all across the state are reaping the benefits.
In November 2018, voters decisively authorized the sale and usage of medicinal marijuana. The amendment includes a provision that enables all sales taxes and fees to be remitted to the Missouri Veterans Commission for health care and other benefits for veterans.
Medical marijuana is taxed at a rate of 4% in Missouri.
The Missouri Veterans Commission received more than $6.84 million from the state’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) on Thursday (MVC).
In September 2020, the MVC received its first payment of $2.13 million from the medicinal marijuana program.
In Missouri, there are over 140 dispensary locations.
Missouri Wild Alchemy is a dispensary with two sites in St. Charles County that is locally owned and operated.
One of the proprietors, Jason Crady, is also a first responder in the region.
“I think it’s fantastic that there’s so much um support for cannabis in Missouri, and that a lot of money is going to assist veterans right now,” he added.
His company also contributes to the Fallen Heroes Dream Ride, a local organization that helps Gold Star families. Crady finds it satisfying to know that his company is making a difference in a variety of ways. Sales, he predicts, will continue to rise.
He said, “There is certainly a huge demand.” “We had underestimated the amount of favorability.”
Captiva Healing in Crestwood is a locally owned and operated business. The owners are pleased that $6.8 million would be used to assist veterans.
One of the owners, Brad Kemph, stated, “This is one of the primary objectives that we set out to achieve when the medical marijuana program was approved.”
He also anticipates an increase in sales.
“What we’ve seeing is more people coming in, more patients looking at cannabis as an alternative therapy for illnesses that have afflicted them for years or decades,” Kemph said.
His company also makes charitable contributions to the community.
“We believe it is our responsibility to give back to the community, which is why we have committed to giving a portion of our earnings to local charity contributions,” Kemph stated.
According to the Missouri Medicinal Cannabis Trade Association, August was a record-breaking month for medical cannabis sales in Missouri. Sales are expected to reach or exceed $200 million by the end of the year, according to the agency.
