Jackson places marijuana tax referendum on ballot

Jackson Board of Aldermen members voted unanimously Tuesday, Jan. 17, to place a 3% recreational marijuana tax referendum on the April 4 ballot.

Statewide passage of Amendment 3, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, on Nov. 8 permits counties and municipal governments to impose a tax of not more than 3% on all tangible personal retail sales of what is officially known as "adult use marijuana." The state levy on such sales is 6%.

Medical marijuana has been legal in Missouri since 2018.

Building and Planning manager Janet Sanders, who will become Jackson's Public Works director next week, told the aldermen the city's planning and zoning commission — after reviewing aldermanic parameters for recreational marijuana — has recommended two conditions on so-called "consumption lounges."

• Hours limited to 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• No one younger than 21 allowed.

Cape Girardeau County Commission is expected to follow Jackson's lead on Thursday, Jan. 19, by also approving a 3% tax on sales, effectively a user fee on purchasers, countywide.

Recent history

Cape Girardeau County voters rejected November's Amendment 3 initiative by a 56% to 44% vote but the statewide vote was 53% in favor.

What's next

• Money. Legal Missouri 2022, a marijuana advocacy group, said in a statement Amendment 3 will be a financial boon to state funds.

"Missouri will see millions in new revenue pour in each year for veterans' health care, drug treatment and for our severely underfunded public defender's office," said John Payne, the group's campaign manager.

"The state auditor's office estimated we would probably generate $40 million each and every year, at minimum, from the tax on marijuana sales," said Dan Viets, Missouri state coordinator for National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

• Criminal records. Amendment 3 provisions also set aside money for expunging certain marijuana-related nonviolent offenses from personal records.

The initiative also permits those incarcerated or on parole or probation for marijuana convictions to petition for release.

• Registration. In early February, state residents may apply for registration cards to grow marijuana at home, with restrictions on the number and size of plants.