SectionsSpeaker wants to legalize marijuana
Nic Stogsdill
Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: Features
A bill in the Missouri House of Representatives could reclassify marijuana for use as a medicine if it is passed.
House Bill 277, sponsored by Kate Meiners, the District-46 representative, stipulates that a person must have a debilitating disease such as cancer, glaucoma or AIDS, to qualify for the program. It would allow people with diagnosed, chronic diseases to use and have up to three mature plants and four immature plants for personal use.
The bill, which has been not been brought before the House by Speaker of the House Ron Richard, would change marijuana's classification from schedule I to schedule II, which would allow medical use of the drug.
Kristen Blanchard, spokesperson for Richard, said there are more important issues that the state is dealing with right now, such as focusing on state economy and family recovery.
Whatever a person's view is on marijuana, Blanchard said she recommends they contact their local legislators and give them their opinions.
One organization, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law, encourages people to contact and encourage Richards to bring the issue before the House.
"This isn't the first time a bill like this has been put on hold, there has been one introduced once a year for the past couple of years now, and they always get put on the shelf," said Brandon Boatman, Springfield's NORML president.
NORML's goals are not just to get it legalized for medical use, but to legalize it entirely, Boatman said, adding that it would solve many national problems: people could use it as a medicine; there would be income generated through sales taxes; and it would free up space in prisons.
"We are falling behind the rest of the country, as many states are starting to decriminalize (marijuana possession and use)," Boatman said.
As it currently stands, marijuana is illegal to possess or sell in Missouri. Corporal Joe Medina, head of the Missouri State branch of Springfield Police, said that the police deal with marijuana on a daily basis throughout the city.
House Bill 277, sponsored by Kate Meiners, the District-46 representative, stipulates that a person must have a debilitating disease such as cancer, glaucoma or AIDS, to qualify for the program. It would allow people with diagnosed, chronic diseases to use and have up to three mature plants and four immature plants for personal use.
The bill, which has been not been brought before the House by Speaker of the House Ron Richard, would change marijuana's classification from schedule I to schedule II, which would allow medical use of the drug.
Kristen Blanchard, spokesperson for Richard, said there are more important issues that the state is dealing with right now, such as focusing on state economy and family recovery.
Whatever a person's view is on marijuana, Blanchard said she recommends they contact their local legislators and give them their opinions.
One organization, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law, encourages people to contact and encourage Richards to bring the issue before the House.
"This isn't the first time a bill like this has been put on hold, there has been one introduced once a year for the past couple of years now, and they always get put on the shelf," said Brandon Boatman, Springfield's NORML president.
NORML's goals are not just to get it legalized for medical use, but to legalize it entirely, Boatman said, adding that it would solve many national problems: people could use it as a medicine; there would be income generated through sales taxes; and it would free up space in prisons.
"We are falling behind the rest of the country, as many states are starting to decriminalize (marijuana possession and use)," Boatman said.
As it currently stands, marijuana is illegal to possess or sell in Missouri. Corporal Joe Medina, head of the Missouri State branch of Springfield Police, said that the police deal with marijuana on a daily basis throughout the city.
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