Defeated initiative brings attention to marijuana issues

Published: April 15, 2003

On April 8, Columbia initiative Proposition 1 was defeated by a margin of 58 to 42 percent. Although the Columbia Alliance for Patients and Education (CAPE) worked tirelessly to educate and inform the citizens of Columbia about this issue, the effort was ultimately unsuccessful.

Proposition 1 would have established a fine of $25 for the possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana and would have eliminated penalties for the possession of the same amount for individuals who proved a medical necessity. Despite the outcome, the people at CAPE, who introduced and sponsored the initiative, did a fine job in highlighting this issue. The drug czar sent federal employees to Columbia in hopes of influencing local opinion, but the press was not persuaded and instead supported the initiative (Daily Tribune article).

This 42 percent vote is a step in the right direction for sensible drug policy in Missouri. There was widespread media coverage of the issue, including an Associated Press article on April 1 (AP article). This is evidence that this issue is gaining popularity among citizens across the country.

According to a Time magazine poll in November 2002, 80 percent of Americans support medical marijuana and 72 percent support eliminating jail time for possession. These numbers are telling.

If you have not already urged your legislators to support H.B. 644, the medical marijuana act, please Take Action. After you choose your favorite pre-written letter and type in your address, our site will automatically e-mail your letter to your legislators … all with the click of a few buttons. The whole process takes less than two minutes, but it makes a world of difference. For the full text of the bill, see Bills Pending.

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