City of Springfield to seek voter approval on recreational marijuana sales tax in August

(From the City of Springfield)

On Tuesday, Aug. 8, Springfield voters will be asked whether the City of Springfield shall impose an additional sales tax of 3% on the retail sale of adult use marijuana, also known as recreational marijuana, with proceeds from the tax to be used for public safety, mental health services, housing and substance abuse services.

Retail sales of recreational marijuana are already taxed by the state of Missouri at a rate of 6%. The sales tax rate in the city limits of Springfield is 8.1% for all retail goods, which includes the City’s sales tax rate of 2.125%.

 

Amendment 3, the Missouri Constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana, has a provision that allows local governing bodies to place an additional 3% local tax on retail sales if voter approved.

If approved by voters, this additional 3% local tax could generate up to $1.8 million a year for public safety, addiction prevention and treatment services, mental health services and housing. The tax would not apply to sales of medical marijuana.

Springfield is the largest Missouri city without a 3% local tax on recreational marijuana. Other cities and counties in Missouri with the tax include Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, Joplin and Ozark and the counties of Jackson, St. Louis, Boone, Christian, Webster, Polk, Newton and Jasper.