Legal marijuana in Missouri has quickly become a billion-dollar business.
The Division of Cannabis Regulation says total pot sales surpassed the threshold May 3, just three months after recreational marijuana sales in the state began. Medical marijuana sales started in late 2020.
“It really is a pretty remarkable milestone,” said Jack Cardetti, a Missouri Cannabis Trade Association spokesman.
He says Missouri managed to avoid the problems that plagued other states, including Illinois, when launching recreational sales, such as long lines and limited access.
“And then on top of that, there was a really high tax in Illinois,” Cardetti said.
That levy could be as high as 31.25%, compared to 6% in Missouri.
Along with boosting state coffers, pot is also putting people to work. The trade group says legal cannabis is responsible for nearly 15,000 direct jobs.
Read the complete article at: https://news.stlpublicradio.org/2023-05-15/theres-big-money-in-missouri-pot-legal-weed-is-the-states-newest-1b-industry