Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Competing initiatives for legalization of medical marijuana on November ballot

Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Graphic by Kate Marshall ~ Multimedia Editor

Three competing options for the legalization of marijuana in Missouri are on the ballot for the November general election: Amendments 2 and 3, and Proposition C — but only one will prevail.

All three would remove state prohibitions on personal use and possession of medical cannabis and impose taxation on retail sale with estimated revenue in the tens of millions, but the options vary widely in use of funds.

Amendment 2 and Proposition C, if passed, would implement an industry regulated by state and local governments. If Amendment 3 prevails, control of industry regulation and licensing procedures would be left to a board appointed by one person — a person who contributed the majority of funding for that amendment. None of the three ballot initiatives would alter federal law outlawing possession, sale and cultivation of marijuana.

Additionally, all three initiatives would require physician recommendation and approval of a patient’s need for medical cannabis, generally associated with conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Tourette’s syndrome, among others.

The ballot initiative receiving the most votes will take effect.

Amendment 2

With a 4 percent taxation rate on retail sale, the $24 million in estimated funds generated by Amendment 2 would go to state and local governments and the Missouri Veterans Commision for health and care services. The operating cost for this amendment is estimated at $7 million annually.

Amendment 3

At 15 percent taxation for retail sale, Amendment 3 would create higher costs for medical marijuana, but it also would create the highest revenue at an estimated $66 million annually. State government entities estimate implementation costs of $186,000 and an annual operating cost of $500,000. The funds generated by the implementation of this amendment would be used to toward treatments of cancer and other diseases — through research conducted by a new state institute, which will have its board appointed by Brad Bradshaw a lawyer/physician who has self funded and written the amendment. That same board would decide on regulations and licensing procedures for dispensary facilities.

Proposition C

The proposition to amend Missouri’s constitution to allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes is separate from the two amendments because there is a chance state legislators could veto it even if it wins the popular vote. At two percent taxation, it proposes the lowest costs as well as lowest projected revenues at $10 million for state government entities and another $152,000 at the local level. The costs for implementation of this proposition are estimated at $2.6 million initially and $10 million annually. If passed, the Proposition C tax revenue would be used for veterans’ services, drug treatment, early childhood education and public safety in cities with medical marijuana facilities.

Comments