Pubdate: Fri, 18 Mar 2005
Source: Columbia Daily Tribune (MO)
Copyright: 2005 Columbia Daily Tribune
Contact:  http://www.columbiatribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/91
Note: Prints the street address of LTE writers.
Author: Josh Flory
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

SENATOR PULLS ANTI-COLUMBIA MEASURE

Schools Group Vows to Discourage Pot Use.

A bill to ban high school sports tournaments in Columbia has gone up
in smoke.

Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, yesterday said he's reached an
agreement with the sponsor of legislation targeting Columbia's
marijuana ordinances.

Sen. Chuck Gross, R-St. Charles, introduced the bill that would have
banned high school tournaments in cities with marijuana policies such
as those adopted in Columbia.

Last November, city voters approved ordinances allowing the use of
marijuana prescribed for medical purposes and limiting the punishment
for possessing small amounts of marijuana to a $250 fine in municipal
court. Gross said high school athletes might think if they smoke dope
in Columbia, the penalties would be less than in other cities.

During an afternoon news conference at the headquarters of the
Missouri State High School Activities Association, Graham said Gross
agreed to sit on the bill after the two senators helped the MSHSAA
craft a letter clarifying Columbia's law.

The association recently sent letters to schools participating in this
month's high school basketball championships, informing them that "use
or possession of marijuana remains illegal, and the new ordinances
merely modified the potential penalties."

In a news release, Gross said he won't pursue passage of the
bill.

"My intent has always been to make sure that the kids coming to
Columbia are safe and that they know that it's not OK to use
marijuana," he said.

The bill had sparked opposition from ordinance supporters and from
Columbia business leaders who said high school athletics tournaments
are an economic boon to the city.

MSHSAA Executive Director Becky Oakes said tournaments in the city
generate about $3 million in economic activity. This week the Class 1,
2 and 3 boys and girls basketball championships are being held at
Mizzou Arena.

Gross' bill had not been voted on and was considered unlikely to pass
by some observers, but it received a committee hearing in February.
Graham said the fact that the bill received a hearing indicated that
Gross was serious about it.

"There's lots of bills that I think   aren't going to get anywhere,
and all of a sudden they get a life of their own," Graham said. 
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