INDEPENENCE, Mo. — Leaders across the Missouri side of the KC metro met Monday to talk about proposed sales taxes on recreational marijuana.
The following cities are some of the dozens across the state that are asking voters to pass the 3% tax when they head to the polls on April 4.
- Belton
- Blue Springs
- Buckner
- Excelsior Springs
- Gladstone
- Grain Valley
- Grandview
- Greenwood
- Independence
- Kansas City
- Kearney
- Lee’s Summit
- Liberty
- Peculiar
- Raymore
- Raytown
- Riverside
Cass and Jackson counties are also asking voters to pass the 3% tax on recreational marijuana.
Three percent is the highest city sales tax allowed under Missouri’s Amendment 3, which legalized recreational marijuana use for those 21 and older.
If voters approve the proposed tax on recreational marijuana sales, it would come in addition to the 6% state sales tax that Missouri charges.
Medical-use marijuana products are taxed at 4% in Missouri and will not be subject to any additional local taxes.
Kansas City-area leaders said there are more than 40 licensed marijuana dispensaries currently open in Jackson, Cass, Platte and Clay counties.
Monday afternoon, Jackson County Executive Frank White joined local mayors to talk about how money from the added tax could be used, if voters approve it.
They, along with the nonpartisan political action committee Show-Me Stronger Communities, want voters to say yes on an additional 3% sales tax.
“We tax pot roast… why not tax pot?” Independence Mayor Rory Rowland said Monday. “The great thing about this tax is if you don’t buy it, you won’t pay it.”
Independence and Jackson County are both asking voters to approve the sales tax. If the ballot question passed in both areas, recreational marijuana buyers could be paying an extra 6% tax.
The same applies to many other jurisdictions in Jackson and Cass counties. But Clay and Platte County leaders are not putting it on their April 4th ballot, so marijuana customers would not be subject to a county tax there.
White said money from the tax in Jackson County would go to veterans’ rights and other community needs.
“I’ve heard a lot of things about potholes and beautification, those types of things,” White said Monday. “So that’s a great way to be able to use this tax.”
Dispensaries were allowed to begin selling marijuana to adults in Missouri last month.
The state of Missouri said recreational marijuana sales generated more than $100 million in revenue in just the first month.
