The local St. Louis metro chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) has embarked on a new and exciting campaign to change marijuana laws in Missouri.
Beginning March 16, 2018, Greater St. Louis NORML (GSTL NORML) launched a public interest campaign with a series of billboards to engage the public about marijuana laws and public policy.
Public approval of marijuana legalization has reached its highest level this year. Six-in-ten Americans, or 61%, say the use of marijuana should be legalized, according to a 2018 Pew Research Center survey. As the fall 2018 election cycle approaches, GSTL NORML is starting a discussion to challenge long-standing myths about cannabis. The goal is to change public perception about cannabis prohibition.
Enforcing marijuana prohibition nationwide costs taxpayers an estimated $10 billion annually. Prohibition results in the arrest of more than 600,000 individuals per year, far more than the total number of arrestees for all violent crimes combined, including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
Throughout the City of St. Louis and surrounding counties Missouri citizens realize cannabis prohibition doesn’t work, yet local public policies are slow to change. GSTL NORML is working hard to change marijuana laws at the grass-roots level.
St. Louis City has recently lowered the marijuana possession fine to $25 with a modified change of Ordinance 69429. At the suggestion of a GSTL NORML director, Board of Alderman President, Lewis Reed adopted the reduction and pushed through this legislation which became law on February 2nd. However, this legislation continues the failed policy of penalizing cannabis users resulting in a public record which can block access to public housing, student loans, bank loans, employment and university admittance.
GSTL NORML champions St. Louis City Board Bill 180 which lifts penalties for possession of up to 2.0 ounces of marijuana and the cultivation of up to six plants. This legislation is now working its way through the city’s legislative process.
Chapter board directors have worked closely with Alder and Board of Alderman Presidential Candidate Megan Green to help formulate this landmark legislation in St. Louis. Two directors and a chapter member of GSTL NORML provided testimony to the Legislation Committee in a public committee hearing on February 13, 2018. This legislation is pending.
The GSTL NORML chapter is playing a key role in the New Approach Missouri campaign to legalize medical marijuana in the Show-Me state. GSTL NORML chapter sponsors and hosts metro area events and provides informational booths at local events.
Upcoming events and actions will include attendance at the 2018 St. Louis Earth Day Festival, April 21 & 22, 2018 and the chapter’s annual “March to the Arch” event for cannabis legalization, Saturday, May 5, 2018. Chapter members are actively gathering signatures and training petition gatherers for the push to legalize medical cannabis statewide on the November 6, 2018 ballot.
The first ever Missouri Cannabis Industry Association all-day conference will be co-hosted by GSTL NORML along with New Approach Missouri on Friday, March 23, 2018, in downtown St. Louis at the City Place Hotel.
The growing nationwide cannabis industry is taking notice of the strong cannabis activism in Missouri dedicated to repealing cannabis prohibition. GSTL NORML would like Missouri citizens to also take notice and repeal cannabis prohibition in the Show-Me state.