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Understanding Legalization Measures
The basics of the Show-Me State ’ s legalized cannabis measures underway . by Leah Maurer , contributing writer
Leah
Leah Maurer , a native Missourian , is now a canna-journalist and activist living in Portland , OR . She is a co-owner of
www . TheWeedBlog . com , a top national cannabis news and information publication , where she serves as the Editorial Lead . In 2014 , Leah founded Moms for YES on Measure 91 through grassroots efforts alone , it proved pivotal in the passage of the Measure , successfully legalizing recreational / adult-use cannabis in the OR . Leah is a social justice and cannabis activist at the core and hopes to see an end to the prohibition of cannabis globally .
22 April 2022
What issues should I consider when choosing my support and vote on a marijuana legalization measure ? As you may know , there are a few different groups advocating for adultuse legalization in Missouri this year . As the average citizen who wants to see legalized cannabis in the Show-Me State , how can you discern the best one to support ? Here are a few issues to consider , whether you are considering signing a petition , contacting your legislators about a bill in the State congress , or actually casting your vote in November .
Social Justice
There are a multitude of social justice issues that are deeply rooted and intertwined with the criminalization of cannabis and the overall war on drugs . When a state chooses to fully legalize cannabis for adult-use , it is imperative that these issues are considered in the newly passed law ’ s rules and regulations .
● Expungement is probably the first that should be addressed . If cannabis becomes legal , it only makes sense to take any non-violent cannabis charges off the records of people who currently have them , as well as to pardon all the prisoners serving time for non-violent cannabis-related crimes and release them from incarceration . Another big social justice issue to consider is that some communities have been targeted and thus devastated for decades due to the criminalization of cannabis , especially those in Black , Latinx , and Indigenous communities .
● Laws should help address this issue in the form of reparations , investment , economic justice , and social equity programs . This is an area where many states have failed , and Missouri has the chance to do it right the first time .
● Make sure to ask the leaders of the measure or bill you are supporting what they are doing to address the social justice issues created by the criminalization of cannabis when they legalize it .
Home Grows
If cannabis is legal for all adults , all adults should have the right to grow it in their home however they see fit ( as medical patients currently are allowed ). This may be in a basement or closet or another place inside the house , backyard , or garden area . It only makes sense for anyone who has the right to walk into a shop and purchase cannabis ALSO to have the right to grow their own .
● Currently , states that allow you to grow marijuana at home ( without a medical marijuana card ) include Alaska , Arizona , California , Colorado , Illinois , Maine , Massachusetts , Michigan , Nevada , Oregon , and Vermont .
● These states have a lot of regulations involved with growing at home . Most mandate the number of plants that can be grown , typically around four ( 4 ) per household . Additionally , the laws may even be subject to local regulations .
● It is important to note that this issue is one that must be addressed in the initial passage of legal cannabis in a state — Washington state has had legalized adult-