Jackson County Executive Statement on Missouri Supreme Court Ruling Regarding Cannabis Revenue Collections
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. issued the following statement today in response to the Missouri Supreme Court ruling regarding cannabis revenue collections:
“We are disappointed by today’s Missouri Supreme Court ruling, which blocks counties from collecting the modest, voter-approved local fee on adult-use cannabis sales in incorporated areas. While we respect the role of the Court, this outcome reflects a broader failure — a failure by the Missouri General Assembly to ensure that the question placed before voters in 2022 was thoughtfully written and clearly defined.
“Instead of crafting a transparent, workable framework, lawmakers allowed industry insiders to shape the constitutional amendment, leaving local governments and the courts to clean up the confusion. That failure has now come full circle in a decision that denies counties the ability to carry out the will of their voters, which undercuts the ability of counties to deliver on what their voters overwhelmingly approved.
“Despite these setbacks, we are proud of what Jackson County has accomplished with these revenues. Over the past two years, we have invested millions of dollars in affordable housing, in programs to reduce health disparities and in local nonprofit organizations serving residents across our community, especially in the face of deep and ongoing federal cuts.
“The cannabis industry in Missouri is thriving. Sales have far exceeded early projections, proving that this small local fee posed no obstacle to growth. In fact, it helped ensure that the benefits of legalization were shared with the communities most in need.
“We remain hopeful that the General Assembly will take action next year to place a clear and equitable amendment on the ballot — one that restores local authority, respects the will of voters and ensures that this important source of funding can continue to support the people of Jackson County.”