The Greater St. Louis NORML chapter held a mixer in Florissant on November 1, 2016.
The event was held at Hendels Market Cafe in old town Florissant, MO and featured several guest speakers including Missouri State Representative Keith English, Project 22 Board Member Thomas Mundell, and Karin Spinks Chester with the Missouri Patient Project.
Chapter Executive Director Blake Bell arranged the event. “We are going to have several more of these social events in the future so that more people can attend from St. Louis county, St. Charles and Jefferson county. We’ll move these meetings around to various locations in the Greater St. Louis metro,” offered Bell.
GSTL NORML guests and members were treated to lively discussion from legal cannabis-supporter Keith English running for re-election in the 68th district. English has sponsored two cannabis bills: HB 490 and HB930. These bills create a Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program.
“I’ve had five bills signed by the Governor,” exclaimed English, “which is a good track record considering only around 112 bills get signed” from congressional sessions. “It used to take up to ten years to get a laws passed, now with term limits, bills can become law in as little as four years” explained English. He believes he has a good chance to move a cannabis pilot act through the legislature based upon the many “friends” he has made on both sides of the aisle.
Thomas Mundell spoke to the group about his complete attitude change about cannabis when he witnessed the miraculous changes in physically and mentally injured combat veterans. Many solders survived horrible injuries losing arms, legs and hands only to descend into a “living hell” of depression.
“You have to set aside your personal feelings,” offered Mundell, “that’s what leaders do.” Cannabis therapy completely changed the lives of these vets for the better and Mundell was a first-hand observer. Now he enthusiastically advocates medical cannabis for vets.
Karen Spinks Chester described her Missouri Patient Project to photographically document the lives of medical cannabis patients, medical cannabis refugees, and patients who would benefit from cannabis therapy.
More speakers are planned for upcoming GSTL NORML Chapter meetings, so follow us on Facebook and Twitter for meeting updates.