Fitzpatrick begins audit on Missouri’s medical, recreational marijuana programs

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick announced in a statement that his office is auditing the state’s marijuana programs.

An Auditor’s Office spokesman said in an email that the audit began Aug. 2 and it will cover a five-year period that ended June 30, 2023.

Medical marijuana was legalized during the November 2018 election and recreational marijuana was approved by voters this past November. Recreational sales for marijuana started in February.

Fitzpatrick said in a statement that medical and recreational marijuana programs have generated more than $1 billion in sales

“The rules and regulations promulgated for these programs govern hundreds of marijuana facilities all across Missouri that cultivate and sell cannabis products to hundreds of thousands of Missourians each year,” Fitzpatrick said in the statement. “Considering the enormous impact they have had on our state, it's important that we conduct a thorough assessment of these programs to ensure they are operating in a manner that is efficient, accountable, and transparent.”