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Missourinet

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Parents, officer organizations speak for and against marijuana legalization bill (AUDIO)

March 11, 2014 By Mike Lear

The sponsor of a bill that would legalize the possession and growing of limited amounts of marijuana says it would end what he considers “inefficient and ineffective policing” that detracts from “rational law enforcement.

Representative Chris Kelly (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Representative Chris Kelly (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Representative Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) tells the House Committee on Crime Prevention and Public Safety, he once opposed the legalization of marijuana. He says it was during his time as a Boone County Associate Circuit Judge that he began to change his mind.

“I changed kind of gradually,” says Kelly. “I saw too many young people whose lives were ruined by convictions for small amounts of marijuana.”

Kelly’s bill would make legal the possession of up to a pound of usable or solid marijuana and up to 72 ounces of marijuana in liquid form. It would create a system for licensing growers and retailers and for taxing the sale of pot, while exempting those who grow their own in limited amounts.

It is the by-products that interested some parents who testified, including Heidi Rayl. She tells the committee Kelly’s bill would allow her to make a compound to treat her son, Zayden.

“He’s four years old and has a genetic condition that is very rare called MCSZ,” Rayl testified. She says the disorder has many symptoms, the most severe of which is intractable epilepsy. “I look at my son’s suffering and it breaks my heart that I can’t fix it. I can’t fix his boo-boo.”

Three law enforcement officer associations testified against the proposal.

Jason Grellner with the Missouri Narcotics Officers Association tells a House Committee the state should proceed slowly with the pursuit of medical applications of marijuana.

He argues one of the unforseen consequences of marijuana legalization in other states has involved children getting a hold of products made with THC, the primary psychoactive agent in marijuana.

“When we have individuals that are making brownies, carrot cake, cookies, peanut butter, granola bars, ice cream … how’s a child supposed to know the difference between a brownie that isn’t infused with THC and one that is?” Grellner asks the committee. “You have marketing of ring pops, of marijuana and THC-infused sodas with pictures of horses and apes.”

Michael Halford with the Troopers’ Association shares the concern that because legalization would make marijuana more available, it would result in more children getting their hands on it.

Halford asks the committee to consider, “We’ve failed the children in keeping alcohol and tobacco out of their hands. How are we going to actually keep marijuana out of their hands?”

The committee has not held a vote on the proposal.

LISTEN TO Rep. Chris Kelly present his legislation and field questions, 11:44

Filed Under: Legislature, News Tagged With: Chris Kelly, Jason Grellner, legalization, marijuana

Missouri House committee to hear marijuana legalization proposal Monday

March 8, 2014 By Mike Lear

A House Committee will hold a hearing on a bill that would legalize possession of up to a pound of marijuana and set up a system for licensing growers and retailers and taxing the sale of pot.

Representative Chris Kelly (D-Columbia)

Representative Chris Kelly (D-Columbia)

Representative Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) took the language from one of several initiative petitions with similar aims. He argues there is no evidence that marijuana is any more dangerous than alcohol or other substances.

His bill would create exemptions for those who grow their own marijuana, allowing an individual to have up to eight plants without a tax or license and up to 16 ounces of usable marijuana or solid marijuana and up to 72 ounces of marijuana in liquid form.

The hearing is in the basement of the Capitol Monday at 5 p.m. or when the House adjourns in the afternoon.  The legislation is HB 1659.

Filed Under: News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Chris Kelly, legalization, marijuana, Missouri House of Representatives

News Hangout: Stanley Cox on the criminal code rewrite and drug penalties therein

February 14, 2014 By Mike Lear

Reporter Mike Lear interviews Representative Stanley Cox (R-Sedalia) about the status of the House’s work to rewrite the state’s criminal code, with particular focus on what it might mean for various drug offense penalties and whether he thinks it is the place to decriminalize or lessen penalties for marijuana.

Filed Under: News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: criminal code, legalization, marijuana, Missouri House of Representatives, Missouri legislature, Stanley Cox

$1.5 million worth of marijuana seized from plane at West Plains

November 1, 2013 By Mike Lear

200 pounds of marijuana has been found on a plane that landed at the airport at West Plains. Authorities seized the stash with a value of 1.5 million dollars. A drug dog found the marijuana and the two men on the plane were arrested.

KYTV reports the Howell County sheriff’s office received a tip from US Customs Border Protections that the plane could be carrying drugs and deputies were waiting when it landed. They were joined by Highway Patrol troopers, West Plains police officers, the South Central Drug Task Force and US Border Protections agents.

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, News Tagged With: marijuana

Kansas City state representative arrested on marijuana charges

August 26, 2013 By Jessica Machetta

Some Missouri Democrats say Rep. Jeremy LaFaver (D-Kansas City) might lose his seat in the state legislator if charges of marijuana possession stick.

LeFaverThe Highway Patrol reports LaFaver was stopped in Boone County for failing to show up for traffic court in Moniteau County on charges of driving with expired plates and driving without insurance. During the stop, troopers found a marijuana pipe and a small quantity of marijuana.

LaFaver has issued the following statement:

“I made a serious mistake, I apologize for it, and I am prepared to face the consequences of my behavior,” he says. “I want to stress that I was not operating under the influence.”

“I deeply regret the embarrassment I have caused my family and the people of the 25th District by this incident,” he says. “I want to assure my constituents that I have received no special considerations, nor do I expect to be treated any differently than any other citizen in my situation.”

LaFaver was unsuccessful in passing a bill he sponsored this year that would have lowered penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2012.

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, Legislature, News Tagged With: Kansas City, Legislature, marijuana, pot



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