A Missouri state senator wants to crack down on people lighting up marijuana in public places.
Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, is sponsoring the bill and told Missourinet that public spaces are not where this should be taking place.
“I don’t know about you, but I can hardly drive down any public road since the legalization of marijuana, and you smell it, and you smell it everywhere,” said Coleman. “And there is a real public health risk to our children to be exposed to that smoke.”
Coleman told Missourinet that the bill mirrors similar statutes that prohibit where the use of intoxicating substances can be used that may be legal.
“And so, it’s going to include things like public sidewalks, public parks, the roadways,” said Coleman. “So really, this is pretty common sense. And I think most people probably already think it’s illegal and it’s just not being enforced. But this would give our law enforcement the tool that they need to be able to make sure that kids aren’t exposed to these things.”
Coleman said it would make it a misdemeanor if someone got caught smoking marijuana in a public space.
“Private property would be able to make decisions for themselves,” said Coleman. “So, it’s going to behave just like any other substance abuse statutes would. So we’re going to start with a Class B misdemeanor, and then the judges are going to have some more leeway to make decisions based on repeat offensing.”
The measure has received a hearing, but it has yet to be voted out of committee.
A link to the bill.
https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1914147/55408
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