The issue is exacerbated by skyrocketing costs of running Missouri ’ s Veteran Homes during COVID , resulting in rising costs since most of their patient population has significant comorbidity issues . In addition , staffing has significantly dropped with approximately 572 leaving ( 133 nurse-related ) over the last two years .
The MVC facilities are not the only ones faced with these issues as civilian care facilities began competing for healthcare staff . They described the current climate for hiring healthcare workers as hypercompetitive , stating that they were losing staff to non-state-run facilities offering signing bonuses between $ 10,000 and $ 20,000 plus raises in hourly rates . The Missouri Constitution prohibits these bonuses , making it difficult to attract and retain talent resulting in critical staffing shortages and other systemic strain . This also means hiring and training staff , as some experienced MVC workers simply had to take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime job market , which has added significantly to the fiscal pressures presented by COVID .
Paul Kirchhoff , Executive Director MVC ( on left ) with Lyndall Fraker , Director of DHSS MMJ Program .
The Missouri Medical Marijuana tax revenues designated for the MVC by Article 14 of the Missouri Constitution aren ’ t allowing them to fund new programs , expand coverage for the Veteran Community , or fund muchneeded research . According to COL ( Ret .) Kirchhoff , the funds are “ helping us keep the lights on .” He noted much of his time is spent educating legislators about their primary misconception that the MVC is flush with cash because they receive the tax revenues from the state ’ s medical marijuana program .
Missourians voted in November 2018 to adopt Constitutional Amendment 2 , known now as
Article XIV . The amendment includes a provision requiring that fees and taxes generated by the medical marijuana program , less operational expenses , be transferred to the MVC for health and care services for military veterans . Article XIV states that medical marijuana sold in licensed dispensaries will be taxed at 4 %. Since dispensary sales began in October 2020 , more than $ 335.8 million ( as of 5 / 11 / 22 ) in sales have occurred . As of September 16 , 2021 , according to the DHSS , the total amount transferred to the MVC is $ 6,843,310 in tax revenue . Another , roughly $ 14 million is earmarked to be transfer in the fall of 2022 . Had the MVC budget not been slashed , those tax revenues could have been directed to several programs to benefit military veterans . Instead , they have been redirected to finance the commission assigned to distribute them , creating what we often referred to in the military as a “ self-licking ice cream cone .”
Open to dialogue and conversation
What was clear after our meeting was that we all share the same goal of taking care of and providing the best healthcare to veterans and their families . The MVC team committed to continuing our conversation on the subject and wants to work toward creative ways of supporting research in Missouri but will need patience and partners ready to help illuminate a path forward understanding the limitations of the federal illegality of cannabis , lack of funds , and competing demands .
Until We Meet Again
The group met in May for the Missouri Veterans Commission , DHSS , Key Veteran Advocates meeting at Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg , MO . Left to Right back row – Andrew Mullins Director of MoCann Trade , Ryon Richmond , Deputy Director MVC ; Scotty Allen , Jonathan Lewis , and Paul Kirchhoff , Executive Director MVC . Front row – Melissa Skinner , Director of Operations MVC , Chris Wolfenbarger , Todd Scattini , and Lyndall Fraker , Director of DHSS MMJ Program .
We parted with the reminder that Missouri is in its nascent stage of cannabis and that veterans in Kansas still suffer with no legal access to cannabis at all . We invited COL ( Ret .) Kirchhoff and his team to be our guest at the upcoming Patients Out of Time 15th Annual National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics in Kansas City , MO , June 9-11 . We asked that they share this opportunity for VA doctors to earn up to 16.5 Continuing Education Credits , accredited by the University of Virginia ’ s School of Medicine . We all agreed that if the VA is going to “ normalize the conversation ” around veterans and cannabis , its doctors need to speak the language of cannabis and understand the most current research .
Please note that we researched diligently to track down the exact dollar amounts mentioned herein . Nevertheless , the exact dollars mentioned could vary slightly , plus or minus as mentioned . To see the DHSS September 16 , 2021 New release regarding MVC tax distributions , visit https :// health . mo . gov / news .
Todd Scattini is a 27-year veteran LTC , U . S . Army ( Ret .). A West Point graduate , Scattini commanded troops at the platoon and company level , and served as a military diplomat and Defense Attaché in numerous countries . He deployed twice to Afghanistan , serving as a senior advisor to the coalition commander . He finished his career as an instructor at the Command and General Staff College in Ft . Leavenworth , KS . Todd has been an activist pushing for medical cannabis access for veterans across the country serving in board advisory positions at the Veterans Cannabis Project , Kansas Cannabis Coalition , and the Hemp for Victory Foundation . His company , Harvest 360 , is a full-service cannabis consulting firm specializing in helping clients become licensed operators . Todd . scattini @ harvest360 . co
� Chris Wolfenbarger , SGT Retired and founder of Veteran Patient Access Foundation .