01.12.2024

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Today’s Forecast

23º | Snow showers/wind | 50% chance of rain |
Sunrise: 7:37 a.m. | Sunset: 5:16 p.m.

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🥦 MO money

Answered: Where does Missouri’s marijuana tax revenue go?

Marijuana Taxes where do they go search bar

Dont worry, readers. City Editor Charmaine is on the case. | Photo by KCtoday

2023 marked MO’s first year with legal recreational marijuana. In just 12 short months, the industry raked in ~$1.3 billion. Yes, that is billion, with a “b.” We shared this info with y’all last week and were met with the same question repeatedly:

Where did all that tax revenue go?

City Editor Charmaine did some sleuthing (ahem, looked at the state constitution) and smoked out the answer. Here’s what she found.

🏥 Medicinal sales taxes

Medicinal marijuana has a 4% sales tax rate. That money is puff-puff-passed around like so:

Two percent is reserved for governmental operating expenses. The remaining two go to the Missouri Veteran’s Commission to provide healthcare + social services for military veterans. Some of its services include tuition + housing assistance, mental health assistance, and drug rehabilitation.

🎮 Recreational sales taxes

Recreational marijuana has a 6% sales tax. How this money is distributed is a bit more complex.

First, governmental operating expenses for managing the marijuana industry — like cash transfers and processing paperwork — are covered.

Second, the money is used to pay for all processes related to expunging criminal records for nonviolent marijuana expenses. (Missouri cleared 100,000+ records last year.)

After those two items are fulfilled, the remaining balance is split three ways:

One-third is sent to the Missouri Veterans Commission and its allied state agencies.
One-third is reserved for grants for nonprofits that provide low-barrier drug addiction treatment.
One-third goes to the MO public defenders system and is reserved solely for legal assistance for low-income Missourians.

Hope this cleared the air for you. If you have any more questions you want us to dive into, let us know.

Asked

Which state had the largest opening month for recreational marijuana?

A. Arizona
B. Colorado
C. California
D. Washington

Just doob it

Events

Friday, Jan. 12

Sourdough Starter Workshop | Friday, Jan. 12 | 6-7 p.m. | The Iron District, 1599 Iron St., NKC | $30 | Get your hands dirty as you learn to make + take care of your sourdough baby.

Saturday, Jan. 13

Dry Vibes Kansas City - a zero proof experience | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Paradise Garden Club, 1621 Locust St., KCMO | $0-$35 | Get ready for a booze-free blast that will leave you buzzing.
Build a Tic-Tac-Toe Game with Python | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Online | Free | Learn how to build a tic-tac-toe game using programming language Python in this introductory class.
Wine Cave Tour + Candlelit Tasting | Saturday, Jan. 13-Saturday, Jan. 20 | Times vary | Fence Stile Vineyards, Winery & Distillery, 31010 W. 124th St., Excelsior Springs, MO | $38-$48 | Pair a candlelit tasting with a historic wine cave tour for a truly delicious evening.

Sunday, Jan. 14

Day in the Life: Basic Training | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | National WWI Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Dr., KCMO | From drill, to first aid, to cooking whatever the army gave you, this simulation will show you how life was for a soldier during WWI.

Monday, Jan. 15

Coffee with Champions | Monday, Jan. 15 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Negro League Baseball Museum, 1616 E. 18th St., KCMO | Free | Local and state leaders gather to remember the works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and explore the connection between baseball + civil rights.
2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Nature Walk | Monday, Jan. 15 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Square Park, Intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. + Woodland Ave., KCMO | Free | Snow, rain, or shine, join the Heartland Conservation Alliance and KC Parks on a restorative walk along the banks of Brush Creek.
MLK Day Period Packing Party | Monday, Jan. 15 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Southeast Community Center, 4201 E. 63rd St., KCMO | Free | Donate period products like pads, tampons + menstrual cups to help end period poverty.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

Good news: The KC metro will miss the brunt of the upcoming winter storm. Less great news: We’ll still see some of it. Expect freezing rain, light snow, winds as high as 40 mph, and potentially record-breaking cold temperatures this weekend. (Kansas City Star)

Sports

Real fans don’t get cold. The Saturday, Jan. 13 Chiefs’ game against the Dolphins will have some of the lowest temperatures in NFL history — and some of the lowest ticket prices, starting at just $50. Better get ‘em while they’re hot. (FOX4)

Ranked

There’s no place like home. KCMO and Overland Park were named 2024’s No. 2 and No. 10 most desired rental cities in the Midwest by RentCafe respectively. Rankings were based on RentCafe searches, apartment availability, and saved listings.

Care

Leavenworth-based nonprofit Joy Meadows was awarded $350,000 to support its work in providing housing to foster + adopted kids. Its 38-acre space has three homes and provides horse therapy. (FOX4)

Arts

Roeland Park’s northern gateway will soon be the scenic route. A new sculpture dubbed “Origin” will be installed later this year. It was crafted by local artist Aime Jacobson who also created the “Gateway” sculpture in Prairie Village. (Johnson County Post)

Watch

KC’s favorite mom, Donna Kelce, will have a guest appearance on “The Price Is Right.” The special NFL-themed episode will air on Wednesday, Feb. 7 and will feature a segment where Momma Kelce tells contestants what they can win. (Kansas City Star)

Finance

2024’s “it card” is here. Not only does it offer a $200 bonus, but also unlimited 1.5% cash back and 0% intro APR until 2025. (Oh, and did we mention the annual fee? No — because there isn’t one.) Learn more + apply.*

Health

Anxiety can make every day a challenge. Connect with a therapist on BetterHelp + take the first step towards a calmer mind. Save 25% with BetterHelp’s New Year offer.*

Opening

🪡 For the crafting connoisseur

ADHDIY Craft Cafe opening next month

So many shiny new distractions. | Photo by @adhdiycraftcafe

Stressin’ for your next hobby obsession (only to buy all the supplies and completely lose interest within a month)? Well, you can skip the inevitable wasting of funds and still dabble in something new at ADHDIY Craft Cafe.

West Bottoms Plant Company announced its sister biz will open on Thursday, Feb. 1 inside 12th Street Post (1501 W. 12th St., KCMO). Soon, when you feel that mouth-watering urge to pick up a new hobby, you can simply walk in, take a seat, and treat yo’self with a craft project off the menu.

Hobbies on hand so far include painting a canvas, embroidery, and even making a candle. Need more greens in your diet? Plant-based crafts like painting a pot are also available.

The biz promises to also have themed movie nights + art classes while it cooks up more crafting recipes.

Follow ADHDIY Craft Cafe for more info.

The Buy

The Buy 1.12.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Workout gear from Aesthetic Built’s collection, which features durable, cutting-edge fabric technologies without compromising aesthetic appeal. We love this scuba oversized hoodie.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Charmaine

From the editor

I know a lot of people hate the cold but I love it. First, you can just put on more clothes. Second, I love all things cozy. Now, I have the perfect excuse to curl up with a blanket, a puppy, and a cup of tea.

(I would have done it anyways but the point still remains.)

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