Quietly in the month of January, all Missouri NORML chapters voted to support Initiative Petition (IP) 2020-128. To date, the best argument for doing so has been; “IP 2020-128 has the best chance of passing” and “IP 2020-128 is well funded.” I find the move rather dis-heartening due to the fact that the current scoring system for medical marijuana under Article XIV is flawed and has left dozens of small communities without access to the medical marijuana industry in Missouri. The high prices we are destined to see will limit patient access to medicine.

Gross.

IP 2020-128 contains provisions that allow, once again, for limits to the number of adult-use marijuana commercial facilities in the same way that Article XIV currently does. It includes the same broken scoring requirements as Article XIV and grandfathers current medical license holders into additional adult-use licenses. As a consolation, a select few disabled veterans will be able to start micro-businesses (I’m a disabled veteran and that is laughable). Worst of all, it will certainly keep in place the arbitrarily limited number of licenses by allowing the state to impose such a limit.

This creates a protected market for big operators and will keep prices artificially high at your local dispensary. Is it any wonder that this petition is well funded?

I lobby on behalf of patients and adult consumers that deserve high quality cannabis at prices less than $250/oz. Do you want a protected system like Illinois? No, those prices are ridiculous.

I lobby on behalf of the so-called illicit market. A protected market and subjective scoring system will never allow these folks to participate in a legal market. Do you want 80% of marijuana sales to occur outside the legal market like California and Maryland?

I lobby on behalf of small communities across the state who could benefit hugely from access to a legal market due to the jobs and tax revenue that it would generate.



I’m all for legalization, but this isn’t the right way to go about it. We should be able to enjoy an open market along with <$150 ounces just like Oklahoma, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.

Are you frustrated that NORML made this move without consulting its membership? Do you think this is the wrong move? Are you going to do something about it?

Write your local NORML chapter and voice your concerns! Activists need to get active! Share this using the link below!

NORML KC:

Kansas City MO 64119

newnormlkc@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/normlkc/?fref=ts

https://www.instagram.com/norml_kc/

https://twitter.com/normlkc

Springfield NORML:

Springfield MO 65804

info@springfield-norml.org

http://www.facebook.com/springfieldnorml

Greater StL NORML:

St Louis MO 63103 314-995-1395

greaterstlnorml@gmail.com

http://greaterstlnorml.org/

http://www.facebook.com/gstlnorml



NOTE: To be fair, this is the only chapter I’m aware of who brought this to its members. Despite membership speaking out against, they remain in support of IP 2020-128.

Mid-Mo NORML:

Columbia 573-819-2669

danviets@gmail.com

http://midmonorml.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mid-Mo-NORML/812408365464674

Twitter: @midmonorml

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