Missouri Transfers $13M in Medical Cannabis Derived Funds to Veterans Commission

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) on Tuesday transferred $13 million from the state’s medical cannabis program to the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC). It is the fifth transfer to date, bringing the total transferred to $39,978,820. 

The agency also transferred $3,836,919 in funds generated by Missouri’s adult-use cannabis program to the MVC ($1,278,973), the state Public Defender’s Office ($1,278,973), and DHSS ($1,278,973) for a drug treatment grant program.   

MVC Executive Director Paul Kirchhoff said the “funds will help MVC continue to support the existing infrastructure of our seven Veterans Homes.” 

“It is incredible that Missouri voters passed the adult use amendment less than one year ago,” added Amy Moore, director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation with DHSS, “and we are now starting to see the financial impact the program’s success will have on multiple organizations and the Missourians they serve.” 

The amendment to legalize cannabis for medical use was voted into Missouri’s constitution in 2018. It requires that fees and taxes generated by medical cannabis be transferred to the MVC to give veterans better access to healthcare. In November 2022 an additional amendment was voted in that gives the fees and taxes generated by the adult-use cannabis program to be transferred to veterans commission.