Missouri just blew past every expectation: legal cannabis sales rocketed to $1.5 billion in 2025, delivering a staggering $255.57 million in tax revenue and cementing the state as one of the fastest-growing marijuana markets in America.
Missouri voters said yes to adult-use cannabis in November 2022 with Amendment 3. The first recreational shops opened their doors in February 2023. Less than three years later, the state has already joined the billion-dollar club.
The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation reports that total sales (medical plus recreational) hit $1.502 billion for calendar year 2025. That marks a whopping 24% jump from 2024’s $1.21 billion and makes Missouri the 12th state to cross the $1.5 billion mark in a single year.
Tax Money Flows to Schools, Veterans, and Communities
The record sales pumped $255.57 million directly into state and local coffers. Missouri’s tax structure keeps it simple: a 6% retail tax on recreational sales, plus local taxes up to 3% in many cities.
Where the money goes:
- Veterans programs
- Drug addiction treatment
- Public defender services
- The state’s general school fund
More than $100 million went straight to public schools alone in 2025, according to the state treasurer’s office.
St. Louis and Kansas City Lead the Charge
The big cities dominate the market. Combined, the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas account for nearly 60% of all sales.
Top five markets in 2025 (rounded):
- St. Louis metro: $478 million
- Kansas City metro: $412 million
- Springfield: $118 million
- Columbia/Jefferson City: $91 million
- Branson/Lake of the Ozarks: $67 million
Tourist towns like Branson continue to surprise analysts with massive per-capita spending.
Prices Drop, Sales Still Climb
Average price per gram fell to $6.82 for flower by December 2025, down from $9.15 at the start of the year. Lower prices usually scare investors, but Missouri shoppers responded by buying more.
Total grams sold jumped 38% year-over-year while revenue “only” grew 24%. Consumers clearly love the bargain.
Jobs Boom Across the State
The industry now supports more than 40,000 direct and indirect jobs, the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association estimates. That includes growers in rural counties, lab testers, security guards, budtenders, and even construction crews building new stores.
Rural lawmakers who once fought legalization now openly court cultivation facilities for the payroll and property taxes they bring.
What Happens Next
Regulators plan to issue another 150 dispensary licenses in early 2026. Several big multi-state operators have already snapped up Missouri brands or opened sleek new flagship stores along major highways.
Industry watchers predict Missouri could hit $2 billion in annual sales by 2028 if the current growth curve holds.
The Show-Me State has shown the country how fast a market can mature when regulators move quickly and voters say yes. From zero recreational sales to $1.5 billion in under three years, Missouri’s green rush proves that sometimes the heartland moves faster than anyone expects.