Marijuana legalization will be considered in Missouri for the upcoming spring 2022 legislative session.
The Missouri general assembly has experienced a flurry of activity since December 1, 2021. That is the date legislators may officially prefile their bills for the upcoming spring 2022 session.
Marijuana legalization is one of the big topics. Several other bills have been prefiled to ensure additional individual rights for our existing medical marijuana law known as Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution.
Prefiled bills are introduced on the first day of the session which falls on January 5, 2022. Members may introduce bills through the 60th legislative day of the session.
NORML tracks these measures in order for cannabis legalization supporters and activists to easily contact their representatives to support upcoming legislation.
Here is an overview of prefiled legislation for 2022:
HJR 83, known as the “Smarter and Safer Missouri Act” would put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to legalize marijuana for adult use. This is the second submission by Shamed Dogan (R-District 098, St. Louis County) for legalizing marijuana. Dogan filed HJR 30 last year but his bill never gained any traction, didn’t come out of committee, and ended up on the informal calendar with no action taken.
A joint resolution bill bypasses the added step of a governor signature and can be placed on the ballot upon approval of the House and Senate chambers. That’s a good thing taking into consideration that Governor Parson is no fan of legal marijuana or any citizen initiative that would step around the legislative process for marijuana legalization.
Governor Parson would “rather have the legislators have that discussion” about legalization instead of a citizen initiative like Legal Missouri 2022 which aims to place marijuana legalization on the November 8, 2022 ballot. The governor will get his wish in the upcoming 2022 session.
HJR repeals Missouri’s medical marijuana law, Section 1 of Article XIV, in its entirety. Section 1 is replaced with a broad and sweeping adult-use marijuana law that allows individuals 21 and older to possess, cultivate, and purchase marijuana through a taxed and regulated system.
No special commercial license would be needed for marijuana retail sales, cultivation, and manufacturing. The proposed tax rate for adult-use retail is 12% and for medical use 4%.
Gun rights are protected for cannabis users and past non-violent marijuana criminal records would be expunged. Incarcerated individuals for non-violent marijuana offenses would be released.
While HJR 83 would change the Missouri constitution, there is still plenty of room for legislators to add more specific language. Dogan’s bill does not indicate what department would be in charge of administration of the new marijuana law.
The Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) currently oversees the medical marijuana law under Article XIV. Would the DHSS remain in charge or would another department such as the Missouri Division of Alcohol & Tobacco within the Missouri Department of Safety administer the adult-use cannabis program? These questions are not addressed in the bill.
Greater St. Louis NORML joins with our national NORML office to support this effort to legalize marijuana in Missouri. Contact your legislators to show support for HJR 83.
House Bill 1867 seeks to protect medical marijuana patients in Missouri from the unreasonable search of their vehicle, home and person as a result of a law enforcement officer’s claim of smelling the odor of marijuana.
Join with Greater St. Louis NORML to support protecting patients from unreasonable searches!
Senate Bill 794 mandates that a “family court shall not prohibit a family court participant from participating in the state’s medical marijuana program, including as a term or condition of successful completion of the family court program.”
Join with Greater St. Louis NORML to support protecting parental rights in Missouri!
House Bill 1659 would allow certain marijuana-related offenses to be expunged if the violations occurred in Missouri prior to the issuance of a patient identification card.
Senate Bill 793 would expunge marijuana convictions from the records of those arrested for the possession of up to 35 grams of cannabis at any time after December 31, 1997.
Join with Greater St. Louis NORML to support legislation that would expunge the records of Missourians!
House Bill 1726 would authorize a tax credit for businesses owned by minorities, women, or service-disabled veterans who obtain a medical marijuana dispensary license.
Support legislation that would advance equity!
House Bill 1658 would require the Department of Health and Senior Services to establish a statewide medical marijuana lodging establishment system to license hotels and other lodging establishments that wish to allow medical marijuana patients to consume medical marijuana within the establishment.
Support legislation that would enact medical marijuana housing protections!
House Bill 1523 would criminalize the disclosure of medical marijuana patients’ information to unauthorized parties.
Support legislation that would protect medical marijuana patient’s privacy!
Legislation is pending, House Bill 1537, which would allow those on probation, parole, pretrial conditional release, or supervised release to use medical cannabis legally without sanction.
Support legislation that would allow those under correctional supervision to use medical marijuana!
Passage of any marijuana-related legislation through Missouri’s General Assembly is the most economical and efficient method to ensure Missourians’ right to access marijuana without the possibility of arrest, prosecution or incarceration. Contact your legislators and make your voice be heard.