Jefferson City, Mo. — Secretary of State Jason Kander today announced an initiative petition relating to legalizing marijuana for medical purposes met state standards for circulation.

The official ballot title for initiative petition 2016-128 reads:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

  • allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and create regulations and licensing procedures for marijuana and marijuana facilities;
  • impose a 75 percent tax on the retail sale of marijuana, and a 10 percent tax on the wholesale sale of marijuana to licensed facilities; and
  • use funds from these taxes to establish and fund a state research institute to conduct research with the purpose of developing cures and treatments for cancer and other incurable diseases or medical conditions?
This proposal is estimated to generate annual taxes and fees of $45 million to $58 million for medical research with state and local government implementation costs. Medical research job creation and other economic activity is likely to result in significant additional tax revenues to state and local governmental entities.
The petition, which would amend Article XV, was submitted by Brad Bradshaw, 1736 E. Sunshine, Ste. 600, Springfield, MO 65804.
Before any constitutional changes can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2016 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to eight (8) percent of the total votes cast in the 2012 governor’s election from six of the state’s eight congressional districts.
Signatures on behalf of all initiative petitions for the 2016 ballot are due to the secretary of state’s office by no later than 5 p.m. on May 8, 2016.
Before circulating petitions, state law requires that groups must first have the form of their petition approved by the secretary of state and attorney general. The secretary of state then prepares a summary statement of no more than 100 words, and the state auditor prepares a fiscal impact statement, both of which are subject to the approval of the attorney general. When both statements are approved, they become the official ballot title.