A U.S. Supreme Court case involving medical marijuana use will likely be decided on the legal arguments – not on whether there is any merit to the claim that marijuana is beneficial to those who are in pain. So says Saint Louis University law professor Sandra Johnson, who says the decision can be expected to come down to whether the federal government has a right to exercise its authority to regulate interstate commerce in a California case involving a state in which marijuana use is legal. A ruling in favor of the states does not mean marijuana use would suddenly be legal in Missouri. That would only happen if Missouri passed a state law allowing for the legal use of grass.
AG Wants Tobacco Money Used To Battle Teen Smoking
November 30, 2004 By
Attorney General Jay Nixon is urging the Legislature to make sure additional money coming to the state from tobacco companies be used to fight teen smoking. Nixon says the state will begin getting $7-Million in extra tobacco money each year as smaller tobacco companies join the 1998 master agreement. Nixon says that new money should be used to fight teen smoking. The Legislature hasn’t approved much targetted spending from tobacco money. A small percentage has been set aside for life sciences programs, but other than that, the Legislature has used tobacco money to ease budget pressure the past few years.
Holden’s Chief Of Staff Accepts Position With Law Firm
November 30, 2004 By
Governor Bob Holden’s Chief of Staff has called it quits. Jane Deuker became Holden’s Chief of Staff in April of last year after having served as the Governor’s chief legal counsel since August of 2002. Dueker will return to her hometown of St. Louis where she’s accepted a position with the Stinson Morrison and Hecker law firm. She’ll specialize in commercial litigation and governmental law.
Rams Crushed By Packers
November 30, 2004 By
Despite Marc Bulger’s 448-yard performance, Brett Favre was not going to be denied in his 200th consecutive regular season start. The Packers, led by Najeh Davenport’s 187-yards rushing, beat the Rams 45-17 at Lambeau Field Monday night. Green Bay got on the board twice thanks to fumbles from Isaac Bruce, who caught nine passes for 170 yards. Ahmad Carroll picked up Bruce’s first fumble in the first quarter and returned it 40 yards to break a scoreless tie. In the fourth quarter, Michael Hawthorne accounted for the game’s final score by going 34 yards on Bruce’s second fumble. The Rams also had a risky move blow up in their face in the third quarter. With Green Bay leading 21-10, Mike Martz decided fake a 42-yard field on fourth and seven. The attempt failed and the Packers made the Rams pay with a 4-play, 75-yard touchdown drive and they took a 28-10 lead. The Rams moved the ball 77 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to get within 11 points, but the Packers responded with 17 unanswered points to end the game. St. Louis was held to just 47 yards rushing on the night and remained a game behind first-place Seattle in the NFC West.
Nash Quits MU Football Team
November 30, 2004 By
Before the Missouri Tigers season finale against Iowa State, running back Damien Nash was asked to speculate on what off-season changes might occur with the Missouri football team. He decided not to answer that question. Apparently the first change will be his departure. Nash told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Monday that he will not be back with the team in 2005 and head coach Gary Pinkel confirmed it with a press release last night. In the release Pinkel said, “We certainly had hoped to have Damien with us next year , and while it’s disappointing to see him go, we’ll do everything we can to assist him with his future plans.” Nash rushed for 817 yards and seven touchdowns in 2004, as the Tigers lost five straight, but ended the season 5-6 after beating Iowa St. 17-14 in overtime Saturday. Before the game, Nash described the season as “worthless”. After Missouri blew a 17-point lead to Oklahoma St., Nash talked to a columnist from the Kansas City Star and questioned some of the play-calling. Those remarks were published. Nash was subsequently suspended from the next game against Nebraska. If he is granted a release from his scholarship, Nash can transfer to another Division-I school without sitting out a year. If he chooses, Nash can transfer to a Division-II school without waiting out, regardless of what MU decides. But Nash may be looking beyond college. In yesterday’s statement, Pinkel added “(Nash has) indicated a desire to explore professional opportunities, and we will begin helping him with that process right now, as well as other potential options.”
