Update on Missouri lobbying day -- expect delays and road closures

Published: April 12, 2006

Tomorrow—Tuesday, April 11—Missourians will be going to Jefferson City to speak with state legislators about H.B. 1831 , which would protect seriously ill medical marijuana patients from arrest and prosecution. President Bush is also scheduled to visit Jefferson City, causing the city to close down some roads, potentially leading to some delays in getting to the Statehouse. Dan Viets, who organized the lobbying day, urges everyone to try to arrive as early as possible to avoid being delayed by traffic and road closures.

Please be aware that, to the north of the city, Highway 63 will be closed for much of the day. Highway 50 is scheduled to be open and provides the easiest access into the city. The meeting is scheduled for noon in the rotunda of the Statehouse and will go on as scheduled. If you have any problems or questions, please contact Dan Viets at (573) 819-2669.

If you have not yet taken action to support H.B. 1831, we need you to do two crucial things right now.

1. Please click here to send a letter to the Health Care Policy Committee members, urging them to hear H.B. 1831 on behalf of medical marijuana patients in Missouri. Our automated system will easily allow you to send pre-written letters to your legislators, or you can compose the letters yourself. State legislators truly do listen to their constituents, and you can make a world of difference by taking action now.

2. Follow up your e-mail with a call to your legislators. When you call, please politely tell them:

“Seriously ill Missourians shouldn’t have to fear arrest for using marijuana with their doctors’ approval. Please stand up for these patients and hear Representative Villa’s bill, H.B. 1831. Thank you.”

The committee members can be contacted at the following numbers:

Chairman Robert Wayne Cooper (R-155th) — 573-751-1119
Vice Chair Robert Schaaf (R-28th) — 573-751-2183
Rep. Craig Bland (D-43rd) — 573-751-2124
Rep. Jane Bogetto (D-94th) — 573-751-5956
Rep. John Bowman (D-70th) — 573-751-4726
Rep. Kathy Chinn (D-8th) — 573-751-2629
Rep. Doug Ervin (D-35th) — 573-751-2238
Rep. Sam Page (D-82nd) — 573-751-9762
Rep. Dr. Charles Portwood (R-92nd) — 573-751-9765
Rep. David Sater (R-68th) — 573-751-1480
Rep. Kevin Threlkeld (R-109th) — 573-751-0538

Please email and call now. Please attend the lobbying day; state legislators truly do listen to their constituents, and you can make a huge impression by visiting them in person.

Rep. Villa’s bill would create a state registry ID card system, which would make it easy for law enforcement to quickly determine that a patient has his or her doctor’s recommendation. This helps to avoid the detention and arrest of legitimate patients. In addition, patients without registry cards would be able to avoid prosecution by showing medical records that prove their medical need for marijuana. The bill also allows for the creation of nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries that would provide a place for patients to safely and reliably obtain their medicine.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. If you would like to find out how you can do more to support marijuana reform in Missouri please e-mail Jonas Singer at JSinger@mpp.org or call at 202-462-5747 ext. 125.