KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) — When Missouri voters go to the polls in November to decide whether recreational use of marijuana should be legal there’s a lot more than pot use at stake. Approval could mean big money for the state and cities.
Marijuana is estimated to be an almost two-billion-dollar market in Missouri. Most of that is due to illegal sales with no benefit to the state. But if voters approve the amendment, the hope is that those underground buyers would move their business to stores, creating revenue by way of taxes.
If approved, Amendment 3 would allow those 21 and over to possess, purchase, consume and cultivate marijuana. A recent SurveyUSA poll showed that 62% of Missouri voters favor the amendment.
Fresh Greens is a local dispensary in Lee’s Summit. Currently, it caters to patients—those with a medical marijuana card. Right now, budtenders work with patients who are ready to try something else. There is a lot to choose from—you can smoke, chew and even drink products containing marijuana.
Right now, Fresh Greens is gearing up for what’s likely to happen next. They are adding staff and expanding hours. Owners are confident it will pass because economics are too much to ignore.
“I think it’s going to be a tremendous benefit for the state and for the cities,” said Rob Sullivan, co-owner of Fresh Greens.
Under the Amendment, marijuana would have a six percent state sales tax. The money generated would go to veterans, drug addiction…
