Missouri: Act today to stop bills that will imprison those possessing a small amount of marijuana for up to 15 years

There are two bills in the Missouri General Assembly that, if passed, will send people who possess marijuana in the presence of someone under 17 to prison for up to 15 years.

These bills, HB 1108 and SB 516, contain the same draconian language — 15 years for anyone who possesses marijuana in the presence of a person under the age of 17.

Perhaps the most disturbing provisions of these bills are the ones that say a person is guilty of this new crime if he or she possesses marijuana in a house where someone under 17 resides. This could mean that a minor would not even have to be present in order for someone to be prosecuted under this new law — so as long as the minor lives in the place where a person possess marijuana, that person could be sent to prison for 15 years.

HB 1108 has passed the Rules Committee and could be called for a vote on the House floor anytime, but has not yet. Please contact your representative today and urge him or her to oppose HB 1108.

SB 516 is still in the Rules Committee, so please call the committee members today and urge them to oppose SB 516:

Rep. Shannon Cooper — chair (R-120) — (573) 751-1484
Rep. Tom Dempsey — vice chair (R-18) — (573) 751-1141
Rep. Carl Bearden — (D-16) — (573) 751-2949
Rep. John P. Burnett (D-40) — (573) 751-3310
Rep. Connie "LaJoyce" Johnson (D-61) — (573) 751-7605
Rep. Michael Parson (D-133) — (573) 751-1347
Rep. Ron Richard (R-129) — (573) 751-2173
Rep. Mike Talboy (D-37) —(573) 751-1309

Please be sure to leave a message, including your name and address, if directed to voicemail. The message should be short and to the point, such as: "Please oppose bills like SB 516, which will ruin the lives of people who have done nothing more than possess a single marijuana cigarette in the presence of someone under 17. Thank you."

If you are interested in helping out in other ways, please click here to learn more.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. For questions about marijuana reform in Missouri, please e-mail Nathan at nmiller@mpp.org.