Missouri lawmakers are currently deliberating how to allocate a significant portion of the state’s $47.9 billion budget, particularly focusing on the unexpected revenue generated from marijuana sales taxes. Recreational cannabis users have contributed nearly $86 million, which state law mandates be evenly distributed among funds for veterans, public defenders, and substance use disorder prevention programs.
Amy Moore, the director of the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, explained that the funds available for beneficiaries of the cannabis regulatory program are exceeding expectations. In February, Moore informed the House budget committee that each of the designated funds could receive $28.6 million as part of the budget discussions this spring.
So far, the full amount of $28.6 million has been allocated to both veterans and substance use disorder programs. These funds will also support new initiatives in collaboration with state courts, public schools, and other service providers aimed at enhancing children’s mental health.
The Missouri Veterans Commission is set to receive an extra $13 million from medical marijuana revenues, bringing its total to $41.6 million for operational needs and repairs at the state’s seven veterans homes. In contrast, the House has currently approved only $15.3 million for the public defenders system.
While state lawmakers can determine how the funds are used, they are restricted from redirecting the money elsewhere. The public defender’s office had sought to use a portion of the cannabis revenue to raise starting salaries for their attorneys from $65,000 to $70,000, aligning them with the entry-level salaries of the attorney general’s office.
Mary Fox, the director of the Office of Public Defender, highlighted the costs associated with employee turnover. She noted that turnover is most prevalent in the first three years, which is why she aims to adjust salaries accordingly. Although she requested $2.5 million for this salary increase, the House rejected the proposal despite the funds being available.
Additionally, Fox sought $4 million to employ 45 full-time social workers to enhance the agency’s holistic defense program, which connects clients with community resources. The public defenders system has faced long waitlists for legal representation, leading to a lawsuit against the state.
State Rep. John Voss, a Republican from Cape Girardeau and a member of the budget committee, advocated for $1.6 million in pay raises and $1.2 million to hire 20 social workers. While the $1.2 million was approved, the pay raises were not. Voss emphasized the importance of providing quality representation, particularly for the state’s underprivileged population, and argued that investing in holistic defense would ultimately save money for the entire state budget.
Voss further explained that the allocation for public defenders is lower than that for the other funds due to $11.7 million already included in budget legislation, which requires those funds to be used by June. This timing constraint left the public defenders unable to utilize the additional funds effectively.
