Pubdate: Wed, 20 Jul 2011
Source: St. Joseph News-Press (MO)
Copyright: 2011 The News-Press, St. Joseph, Missouri
Contact:  http://www.stjoenews-press.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1510
Author: Kim Norvell

GROUP WORKS TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

A petition filed with the Missouri secretary of
state's office could be the first step toward the
legalization of marijuana if it garners enough support.

Show-Me Cannabis is an initiative organized by a
group of Missourians and businesses that believe
marijuana prohibition is a failed policy and seek
to legalize all forms of marijuana in the state.
Local law enforcement, however, sees loopholes
that are not written into the petition in regard
to enforcement and punishment for those breaking the suggested new laws.

Two petitions were filed with the secretary of
state early this month, one of which would amend
Missouri's constitution, while the other would
suggest a change in statutes, said Amber
Langston, campaign director of Show-Me Cannabis.
If approved, organizers can begin to gather
enough valid signatures =AD 147,000 for a
constitutional amendment or 92,000 for a
statutory amendment =AD before it can appear on the
November 2012 ballot. Ms. Langston said Show-Me
Cannabis expects the change would find more
support from the voters than from politicians who
would be asked to sponsor a bill.

I think most politicians are still living in that
`Reefer Madness mindset, which most of us are
coming to the conclusion that was simply
propaganda,=94 she said. =93As a society we're still
trying to sort out the facts, but those who have
stepped out in favor of it have found pretty good support.=94

Show-Me Cannabis suggests Missouri voters approve
marijuana regulation that is similar to alcohol
regulation. Users would have to be 21 or over,
anyone looking to sell marijuana would need a
license, and any marijuana grown for personal use
would be limited to a 10 foot by 10 foot plot.
There is also wording that allows medical
marijuana to be prescribed by doctors and
agricultural hemp to be cultivated by farmers.

The initiative also suggests releasing all
inmates who have previously been convicted of
marijuana possession or distribution.

Lt. Steve Gumm, of the Buchanan County Drug
Strike Force, said although Show-Me Cannabis has
decided to classify misbehavior as a Class A
misdemeanor, they didn't take into account
regulations for personal consumption, including a
specific amount any one person can grow in the
suggested 10 by 10 plot and how many of those plots a person can own.

There would still need to be laws to control it,=94
Mr. Gumm said. =93If you can grow your own, there's
no way it can be regulated for how it's grown or where it=92s being sold.
=94

Mr. Gumm said, just like liquor enforcement, it
would also be difficult to enforce marijuana use
by persons under 21. Citing marijuana as a
=93gateway drug,=94 Mr. Gumm said he would also
expect to see more =93hard drug use=94 if the plant is legalized.

Six News-Press readers answered a Facebook
question on whether they would support cannabis
legalization. Two expressed disappointment in the
petition. The others said it would be beneficial
for the state to tax the substance (Show-Me
Cannabis suggests $100 per pound) and beneficial
for officers to focus on more =93serious=94 crimes.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart