Missouri voters will have the chance to legalize cannabis use for adults with this week’s announcement from state officials that a proposed initiative to legalize recreational marijuana has qualified for the ballot for the November general election. Missouri Secretary of State John R. Ashcroft announced Tuesday that petitions submitted to put the ballot measure known as Initiative 2022-59 had received the required number of signatures from registered voters. Referring to the 38-page length of the initiative, Ashcroft suggested that voters take care when deciding its fate in this fall’s election. Missouri Voters Will Decide On Legalization Of Recreational Marijuana In November

“I encourage Missourians to study and educate themselves on any ballot initiative,” Ashcroft said in a statement from the secretary of state’s office. “Initiative 2022-059 that voters will see on the November ballot is particularly lengthy and should be given careful consideration.”

If passed, the initiative constitutional amendment would amend the Missouri Constitution to legalize the possession and use of marijuana for those 21 and older, allowing adults to purchase up to three ounces of marijuana at a time. The measure also allows adults who obtain a registration card to cultivate marijuana at home, with a cap of six mature marijuana plants, six immature plants and six clones. Missouri Voters Will Decide On Legalization Of Recreational Marijuana In November

The ballot measure levies a tax of 6% on sales of recreational marijuana, with some revenue dedicated to implementing provisions for the automatic expungement of convictions for past marijuana-related offenses. Additional funds generated by taxes on recreational marijuana would be used for substance abuse programs, health care for veterans and Missouri’s public defender system.