By John Sharp
Jackson County has joined area Missouri cities and placed a new 3% sales tax on the retail sale of adult use non-medicinal marijuana on the April 4 ballot.
The countywide measure was approved unanimously by the county legislature.
While the approved ballot language says funds from the new tax will be used for “community services and veterans support services through a dedicated special revenue fund”, it also notes funds can be used “for other purposes authorized for the expenditure of County general revenues”.
There is no commitment on what percentage of the funds raised by the tax will be used for veterans support services, and the term “community services” is not defined and could apply to a wide variety of county government functions.
The 3% sales tax was authorized by the Missouri constitutional amendment legalizing the possession and sale of recreational marijuana approved by state voters in November. The tax will require approval of a simple majority of those voting to pass.