Medical marijuana bill introduced in Missouri as momentum builds

Published: February 8, 2010

Medical marijuana bill introduced in Missouri as momentum builds

Help the trend continue by letting the speaker know you want a vote.

Four years ago medical marijuana gained little traction in Missouri. But as nationwide support has grown (we’re now at 81%) momentum has continued to build in Missouri, thanks in large part to your vocal support. For four years in a row, Rep. Kate Meiners (D-Kansas City) has introduced a medical marijuana bill. Last year, she managed to get 10 co-sponsors; this year’s bill is up to 17. More importantly, the bill has bipartisan sponsorship – and not only is Rep. Rob Schaaf (R-St. Joseph) a co-sponsor, he’s also a doctor.

Please click here to ask Missouri’s Speaker of the House to assign this bill to committee.

Rep. Meiners’ bill would allow patients with serious diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and other serious conditions to use medical marijuana pursuant to a physician's recommendation. Also of note, the bill would establish a system of state-regulated non-profit distribution centers so that patients would not be forced to buy marijuana from drug dealers as in other states.

While it’s great to see that a bill has been introduced, this is only a first step in what we hope will be a long process. The next step is for the bill to be assigned to a committee, given a hearing, and ultimately voted on. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened the last three years. Usually, the speaker — first Rep. Rod Jetton and then Rep. Ron Richard — waits until the very end of session to assign the bill, which in effect kills it.

That’s why we need you to get in touch with Speaker Ron Richard (R-Joplin) and ask that this bill be given a chance. You can use the link to e-mail him, or call his office at (573) 751-2173.

We’re not asking him to co-sponsor the bill (though he should); we’re not even asking him to vote for it (though he should). We just want him to do what House speakers do, and assign this bill to a committee so that it can get a hearing and the up-or-down vote patients deserve. What’s to lose?