Judge Tosses Lawsuit Seeking to Block Medical Marijuana Initiative

Signature gathering volunteers with New Approach Missouri (NAM) gave a big sigh of relief on September 4, 2018. The Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce dismissed Bradshaw's lawsuit with the Secretary of State. He was attempting to remove New Approach Missouri's Amendment 2 from the November 6th ballot.

In order to clear the field of competing marijuana initiatives, the self-funded author of Amendment 3, Brad Bradshaw, alleged signature gatherers with NAM committed “vote fraud.” Bradshaw accused the petition gatherers of not signing affidavits in the presence of notaries and failure to monitor signature collection stations.

Bradshaw planned to serve subpoenas to 20 key volunteers and election workers to uncover a “systematic, pervasive, and ubiquitous pattern of instructing individuals to violate the legal requirements of the signature gathering process.”

Judge Joyce disagreed with Bradshaw and threw out the lawsuit. In her decision, the Judge wrote that the “only relevant issue at this point is whether the signatures are those of registered voters."

Local election authorities had already determined the signatures were valid. Bradshaw's lawsuit also failed to show how NAM misled voters into signing petitions. He plans to appeal the decision.

Signs of the Grass Roots Movement Spread Statewide

Greater St. Louis NORML and NAM volunteers are working to spread “Yes on 2” yard signs across the state to anyone who is willing to post them in their yard or business.

The initial delivery of “Yes on 2” yard signs were snatched up fast. Three hundred signs were delivered to Columbia, MO for distribution to attendees at the Missouri Cannabis Industry Association Board of Directors meeting on August 29th.

Once the word got out they were available, distribution points popped up all over the St. Louis metro run by NAM volunteers. Deliveries have been made to Kansas City in the past few days.

Greater St. Louis NORML is requesting a $5.00 donation for a sign so we can keep up the momentum and print more for distribution.

Pick one up at our September 10, 2018 chapter meeting here.

Another Round of Medical Marijuana Billboards Launched

In the short number of days remaining before the mid-term elections on November 6, 2018, Greater St. Louis NORML has designed another set of hard-hitting educational billboards promoting medical marijuana and “Yes on 2” for NAM's Amendment 2.

Our first billboard launched on September 8, 2018, “Opioids kill people. Marijuana kills pain.”

Through generous donations Greater St. Louis NORML will be running several more billboards in the upcoming weeks with the goal reaching as many people as possible with the funds available. Your donations will help us spread out across the metro and the state. Donate here.

St. Louis Area Volunteer Appreciation and Campaign Kickoff Party! Monday, September 10, 2018 at 7:00 PM

We're having a special event at our monthly chapter meeting. Please join us to celebrate New Approach Missouri qualifying for the ballot, and find out how you can help us achieve victory on November 6th! We could not have gotten this far without you, and with your help we will make history for Missouri patients and veterans. We hope to see you there!

Upcoming Dates and Events

September GSTL NORML Chapter Meeting & Volunteer Party

September 10, 2018 – Our Monday, September 10th chapter meeting is 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. We'll have a short meeting and then a fun party for New Approach Missouri volunteers who helped get us on the November 6 ballot.
Address: CJ Muggs Webster (Webster Groves, MO), 101 W Lockwood Ave, Webster Groves, MO 63119.
Date: Monday, September 10, 2018
Time: Starts at 7:00 pm, ends at 9:00 pm.
Cost: FREE. (Donations accepted.) Everyone is invited.

Missouri Cannabis Industry Association Fall Business Conference – Kansas City, MO
The MCIA Fall conference is the only industry association trade show preparing Missouri cannabis businesses for success in what will soon be one of the largest medical cannabis markets in the US. Sponsors include Canna Advisors, Cirrata, Missouri Cannabis Consultants, Hops21 and Annie’s Apothecary. There are still tickets available. Learn more here.
Location: Crowne Plaza Kansas City
Address:1301 Wyandotte Street,
Kansas City, MO 64105
Cost: $229.00 (Pre-conf. Meet & Greet: $40, Networking Party: $75).

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.