Service Workers Union urges “YES” vote on legalized adult-use marijuana

Amendment 3 Will Benefit Workers by Bringing New Jobs and Social Justice to Missouri

SEIU, Service Workers International Union, one of Missouri’s strongest voices in labor, is rallying around Amendment 3 – urging members and Missouri citizens alike to vote “YES” to legalize adult-use marijuana.

“Amendment 3 represents justice for the thousands of workers who will have a clearer path to quality employment once their nonviolent marijuana convictions are expunged,” said Rhiannon Duryea, Executive Director, SEIU. “Across the country, legalization has generated millions of dollars for some while leaving behind many minority communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. Amendment 3 is the step forward Missouri needs to ensure more workers have access to livable wages and respect on the job.”

Projections show that a 6 percent retail sales tax would generate an estimated $40.8 million in annual revenue (likely much higher) in Missouri and $13.8 million in additional local government revenues. SEIU members stand to benefit from the additional tax revenues and economic activity.

“Service workers are the backbone of the Missouri economy, and we are thrilled to get the SEIU endorsement of Amendment 3,” said John Payne, Campaign Manager, Legal MO 22. “SEIU members have an incredible track record of turning out to vote in elections that matter to workers. We believe this will drive enthusiasm and voter turnout this November.”

If approved, Missouri would be the 20th state to legalize adult-use marijuana. Other states where adult-use is legalized have seen their economies boom and bringing thousands of new jobs.

“This November 8 we have the power to dramatically improve the lives of workers in Missouri. We have seen extraordinary economic gains in states that have legalized marijuana. Now it’s Missouri’s turn to reap those benefits,” said Duryea.

The proposed constitutional amendment would allow Missourians ages 21 and older to possess, consume, purchase, and cultivate marijuana. The revenue generated would cover program costs, including expungement, with remaining funds reserved for veterans’ services, drug addiction treatment and the state’s severely underfunded public defender system.

For more information visit: www.LegalMO22.com

Additional Highlights of Amendment 3:

• Levies state taxes of 6 percent on retail sales of marijuana
New revenue funds regulatory program and costs to process automatic expungements, with the surplus split equally among veterans’ services, drug addiction treatment, and Missouri’s underfunded public defender system.

• Allows local governments to assess sales taxes of up to 3 percent

• Allows local communities to opt out of adult-use retail marijuana sales through a vote of the people

• Strengthens Missouri’s medical marijuana program
The petition extends the amount of time that medical marijuana patient and caregiver ID cards are valid – from one to three years while keeping the cost low ($25). And the current $100 fee for Missourians who choose to grow medical marijuana at home will be reduced by half, with the expiration period also extended from one to three years.

• Provides employment discrimination protection for medical patients, preventing them from being denied employment, being disciplined or being fired for off-the-job medical marijuana use

• Adds nurse practitioners to the healthcare professionals who can issue medical cannabis recommendations to patients

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Paid for by Legal Missouri 2022, Paul Bocci, Treasurer.aul Bocci, Treasurer.