In 2024, Missouri’s cannabis program exceeded all expectations for sales, tax revenue generated, and medical patient count after hitting nearly $1.5 billion in sales

In 2024, Missouri’s legal cannabis industry far surpassed initial projections for marijuana sales, tax revenue generated, and the number of patients with medical marijuana cards. In 2024, Missouri sold $1.46 billion in total marijuana sales, in only the state’s second year of adult use sales, which started in February 2023. This figure shattered early estimates, which anticipated sales of $800 million to $900 million by year four of adult use sales, according to MJBizDaily.

Over the past 12 months, Missouri’s legal cannabis program has also delivered an impressive $244.93 million in new sales tax revenue for state and local governments. Of that total, $145.72 million went to state government programs, while an additional $99.21 million was allocated to local governments across Missouri. These revenues are on top of the millions generated annually through licensing fees and payroll taxes paid by the cannabis industry, which now employs over 21,800 Missourians.

When Missouri legalized recreational marijuana sales in November 2022, the State Auditor’s fiscal note estimated $40.8 million in annual state revenue and $13.8 million for local governments. Likewise, when medical marijuana was on the ballot in 2018, the state’s official fiscal note predicted $18 million in annual revenues for the state and $6 for local government. The program has exceeded these projections threefold, with no signs of slowing down.

“When Missouri voters approved adult-use marijuana sales, we knew this program would have a meaningful impact on job creation and businesses in local communities, but we never imagined it would have this much economic and tax impact for the state,” said Andrew Mullins, MoCannTrade Executive Director. “Missouri’s thriving cannabis industry is proving to be a model for other states, generating record-breaking sales, creating thousands of jobs, and delivering hundreds of millions in tax revenue to support essential programs.”

Missouri’s Cannabis Program by the Numbers

   

• Recreational Sales Impact: In its second year of an adult use program, total cannabis sales reached $1.46 billion—far outpacing original four-year projections of $800-$900 million.
• Tax Revenue Generation: $244.93 million in total sales tax revenue was generated in the past 12 months, with $145.72 million going to state programs and $99.21 million to local governments.
• Medical Marijuana Patient Count Growth: Missouri’s medical marijuana program grew to over 119,674 patients in late 2024.  Starting in January 2024, total patient certifications grew every month through December bucking the national trend of declining patient card enrollment after adult-use legalization.

“Missourians can take pride in knowing their decision to legalize cannabis has resulted in a robust, well-regulated program that delivers on its promises,” Mullins said. “This success is a testament to the commitment of Missouri’s cannabis industry to safely serve its patients, consumers, communities, and the economy at large.”

MoCannTrade (The Missouri Cannabis Trade Association) is an association of business owners, professionals, patients and consumers responsible for helping to implement successful, safe, compliant medical and adult use cannabis programs in Missouri.

The membership-based association is directed by a board of diverse professionals experienced in cannabis production and retail, healthcare, law, pharma, science, agriculture, law enforcement and security, finance, public affairs and regulatory sectors.  To learn more about MoCannTrade please visit www.mocanntrade.org