It was just the starting block for Jones , though .
“ As soon as my probation was lifted , I ran for City Councilman of Ward 1 in Rolla , where I lived and chose to make my stand . I got loud about ending cannabis prohibition . With the help of friends , the community , and a campaign highlighting my cannabis advocacy , I beat an 18-year incumbent by a 3-to-1 margin .”
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Councilman Daniel Jones ( on right ), possibly voting for Rolla city council meetings to have blunt breaks .
( Photo contributed .)
Now in office , Councilman Jones was able to make the impact he wanted so badly to make , resulting in the decriminalization of possession of up to one ounce of cannabis in Rolla .
His work left the community divided . Some citizens , backed by local leaders who weren ’ t happy about the work , filed a formal complaint .
“ The law in Missouri states if you are convicted of or plead guilty to a felony , you cannot hold public office . I was ousted from the seat with a smile on my face because my work there was done . But the success came with problems .”
After receiving threats and multiple public confrontations with folks who didn ’ t like the work Jones had done , he realized he needed a way to do his work in a less private way — he needed a name that wouldn ’ t lead back to his private life .
With a clear need for an alter ego , Jones sought out “ a mix of Tommy Chong — high and happy — but looks tough as nails like Samuel L . Jackson or Bruce Willis .”
After kicking it around for a little while , the name , appearance , and persona of Waxy Brown was born !
Among many , many others who worked diligently for Missouri legalization , Waxy ’ s work advocating cannabis legalization during the early days of Missouri ’ s legalization movement also helped the passage of decriminalization of possession . It led the state towards ending prohibition for citizens who can now legally purchase and grow medical and adult-use cannabis .
If you work in the cannabis industry or enjoy the products it supplies to the Missouri market , give Jones — or Waxy Brown , whichever one you run into — a big thank you when you see him out at an event around the Show-Me State !
Rocco Scarcello is a production floater for Elevate Missouri . He is a former college baseball player , graduating from Missouri Valley College in 2017 before getting into newspaper and radio news / sports broadcasting in north central Missouri , youth baseball tournament coordination in Kansas City , and eventually into the medical marijuana field . He is also a studio artist currently releasing music and working on his first album .
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