Missouri NORML, the organization which helped to draft, place on the ballot, and pass Amendment 3, now Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution, has announced its priorities for the 2023 legislative session of the Missouri General Assembly. Prefiling of bills for the ’23 session begins Thursday, December 1.
NORML has contacted several legislators some of whom have agreed to file all of NORML’s priority legislation. Others are considering signing on as co-sponsors. The legislation which Missouri NORML will seek to pass includes:
Immediate release of all marijuana prisoners. Article XIV provides for those in possession of three pounds or less to seek immediate release. Missouri NORML believes that all marijuana prisoners should be released. Even those accused of possessing very large amounts of marijuana have committed offenses which are now legal for those who are in the marijuana industry.
Expanding marijuana business licenses. Neither the existing medical law passed in 2018 nor Amendment 3 set any cap or maximum number of business licenses which may be issued. The Department of Health and Senior Services has been extremely conservative by issuing only slightly more than the minimum number mandated by Article XIV in the medical marijuana field. Given the fact that the number of legal consumers has now expanded to include millions of Missourians, it would only make sense to expand the number of business licenses issued to cultivate, manufacture, test, and dispense cannabis products in our state. Allowing a free market and full competition is the best way to ensure that Missouri cannabis consumers pay low prices.
Requiring Missouri colleges and universities to allow medical cannabis use on campus. Some Missouri colleges and universities have announced a policy which prohibits possession of any cannabis products on campus, despite the fact that a student’s doctor has recommended the use of such substances. At a minimum, the use of edibles and vaporized cannabis should be permitted by residents of university dormitories. Students routinely possess and use pharmaceutical medications which are potentially deadly and addictive. Marijuana is neither one.
Extending job discrimination protection to non-medical adult marijuana users.
Amendment 3 grants job protection to medical users. Existing Missouri law protects the rights of patients who use pharmaceutical medications from job discrimination. NORML is not seeking to require any employer to tolerate on-the-job marijuana use or impairment by marijuana use while at work. We do, however, believe it is wrong to punish adults who use marijuana responsibly in conformance with Amendment 3 by denying them a job or imposing discipline.
Allowing cannabis to be smoked wherever tobacco smoking is allowed. This policy only makes sense. It is the policy adopted by the state of New York legislature when it legalized adult use a few years ago. Cannabis smoke is far less dangerous and far less objectionable than tobacco smoke. There is no reason not to tolerate cannabis use where tobacco use is allowed.
It is hoped that bills on all of these topics will be filed well before the 2023 legislative session convenes at noon 12:00 pm Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
Attorney Dan Viets, Missouri NORML Coordinator, and a 50-year activist for marijuana law reform, said, “Amendment 3 was a major victory for rational marijuana law reform. The legislature has the authority to pass legislation which is consistent with Amendment 3, and it has the authority to place proposed constitutional amendments before the voters in future elections”.
Missouri NORML: The Missouri Affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
Greater St. Louis NORML, Mid-Missouri NORML, MU NORML, NORML KC, St. Joseph/NWMO NORML, SEMO U. NORML, Springfield/SWMO NORML