(Radio Iowa) – There’s a push to make our neighbors to the south the 20th state to legalize recreational marijuana. A group in Missouri has filed a citizens’ ballot initiative with the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, that would allow residents age 21 and older to possess, grow and use marijuana. The proposed constitutional amendment includes a six-percent retail tax that is expected to generate millions of dollars in state revenue annually.

Local governments would also be able to collect a three percent tax on cannabis. Organizers say there’s a focus on criminal justice reform and Missourians with low-level marijuana offenses would have their records expunged. They plan to begin collecting the 175-thousand signatures needed to quality for the November 2022 ballot.