Greater St. Louis NORML Newsletter August 2018

We Did It!

New Approach Missouri (NAM) was contacted by the Secretary of State's Office in the morning of August 2nd with news that our medical marijuana initiative is certified to appear on the November 6, 2018 ballot.

In a communication to NAM volunteers, supporters and NORML members across the state, Dan Viets, NAM Board President, said he was “pleased” to bring the good news. “New Approach Missouri is closely allied with Missouri NORML and the active Missouri NORML Chapters around the state,” wrote Viets, and he indicated those “members were instrumental in gathering the signatures...”

Vote YES on 2 The Missouri Secretary of State also certified two other medical marijuana initiatives for the November ballot. It is an “unprecedented event in the marijuana law reform movement,” said Viets, “and possibly in the history of our state, and possibly the nation!”

NAM's initiative will be listed as question #2 on the ballot while one other constitutional amendment and one statutory initiative are listed below the number two question.

The other marijuana initiatives are well funded and present a financial challenge to NAM. Fundraising activities to support a media campaign to educate Missouri voters about NAM's Ballot #2 are continuing at an increased rate. Donations to support NAM are critical in the remaining six weeks till the mid-term election on November 6, 2018. Donations can be made here.

We will be discussing the NAM's campaign strategy at our next August chapter meeting.

Volunteers Needed for St. Louis City Primary Election Day

An initiative campaign to legalize adult use of cannabis in the city of St. Louis is now underway. A political action committee (PAC) is registered with the state of Missouri to place an initiative on the ballot in early 2019.

Greater St. Louis NORML is coordinating signature gathering activities in St. Louis City on primary election day, Tuesday, August 7, 2018. Volunteers are needed to work at the polls. If you haven't had the chance to collect signatures for legalizing cannabis, you can now join your fellow activists to pass an adult use cannabis bill. Join us.

Megan Ellyia Green Board of Alderman Presidential Candidate Come to our Board of Directors' meeting August 6, 2018, 7:00 pm at Irish Corner Pub, 1900 Cherokee St., St. Louis, MO 63118 to pick up petitions and get training.

The PAC, Common Sense St. Louis, seeks to allow possession of up to 2.0 ounces of cannabis and cultivation of up to six flowering cannabis plants in the City. The ballot initiative contains all the provisions of the recently defeated Board Bill 180 submitted by Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green in 2017.

Now running as a candidate for Board of Aldermen President, Green will resubmit BB180 for the next year's legislative session. Common Sense St. Louis will move ahead in support of Green to get this ballot question before voters, especially if the Board of Aldermen refuses to act on the resubmitted bill.

Upcoming Dates and Events

Board of Directors and Petitioner Training Event August Board of Directors Meeting and Petitioner Training
August 6, 2018 – The August Greater St. Louis NORML board meeting will be held on August 6, 2018, 7:00 pm at Irish Corner Pub, 1900 Cherokee St., St. Louis, MO 63118. Volunteers can be trained on signature gathering.

August GSTL NORML Chapter Meeting
August 13, 2018 – Our Monday, August 13th chapter meeting is 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The big topic of the night will be New Approach Missouri's ballot initiative.
Address: CJ Muggs Webster (Webster Groves, MO), 101 W Lockwood Ave, Webster Groves, MO 63119.
Date: Monday, August 13, 2018
Time: Starts at 7:00 pm, ends at 9:00 pm.
Cost: FREE. (Donations accepted.) Everyone is invited.

One toke over the line has NORML support Brewer & Shipley – August 11, 2018
Greater St. Louis NORML has once again partnered with Delmar Hall and the Brewer & Shipley musical duo for a return concert at Delmar Hall, Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 8:00 pm. Brewer & Shipley support NORML and cannabis legalization efforts. They've gone “One Toke Over the Line” to let us display our GSTL NORML merchandise at the concert. Check it out here.

Grove Fest – October 6, 2018.
Greater St. Louis NORML is planning to attend this St. Louis festival and party tradition now in its 13th year. We'll have a booth on Saturday, October 6th from 2pm-11pm. Let's party in one of STL’s most vibrant neighborhoods! Sign up as a volunteer and help out in our booth.