The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has begun the process of making the first funds transfer from its medical marijuana program to the Missouri Veterans Commission.
The total amount transferred will be $2,135,510, according to a release from the state health department.
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In November of 2018, the state’s voters passed Constitutional Amendment 2, known as Article XIV, which included a provision requiring that fees and taxes collected by DHSS for the medical marijuana program, less operational expenses, be transferred to the MVC for health and care services for military veterans.
“Facilities are getting up and running now, and the first testing laboratory is on track to be operational very soon,” said director of the Section for Medical Marijuana Regulation Lyndall Fraker. “We are confident that medical marijuana will become available for patients this month."
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DHSS thus far has collected fees related to facility and patient licensing. Under the law, medical marijuana sold in licensed dispensaries will be taxed at a rate of 4%.
“Missourians voted on this amendment because it allowed for a safe and well-regulated medical marijuana program for patients, but it also was written to simultaneously benefit our very deserving veterans through services MVC will now be able to provide,” said DHSS Director Dr. Randall Williams.
A formal presentation of this significant transfer of funds is being planned in the near future.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com
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