The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has made the second transfer of funds from Missouri’s medical marijuana program to the Missouri Veterans Commission. The total amount transferred is $6,843,310.

Missourians voted in November 2018 to adopt Constitutional Amendment 2, known now as Article XIV. The amendment includes a provision requiring that fees and taxes generated by the medical marijuana program, less operational expenses, be transferred to the Veterans Commission for health and care services for military veterans.

Article XIV states that medical marijuana sold in licensed dispensaries will be taxed at a rate of 4%. Since dispensary sales began in October 2020, more than $113 million in sales have occurred. DHSS has licensed and certified a total of 379 facilities to cultivate, manufacture, test, transport, and dispense medical marijuana to Missouri patients, and increasing patient numbers will mean more tax dollars for veterans’ services.

“We see increasing patient numbers every week,” said Corey Martin, HR Director for KC Cannabis Company. “The growth of the total patient population in the state has jumped up to about a couple thousand per week.”

“MVC will use these funds for veterans’ health and safety initiatives designated in House Bill 8,” said Paul Kirchhoff, Missouri Veterans Commission Executive Director. “A portion of these funds will also be used to complete the Missouri Veterans Cemetery – Jacksonville columbarium wall.”

The first transfer of funds occurred in September 2020 and totaled $2,135,510.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story