Prosecutors say Missouri can't legalize marijuana while feds ban it

A dozen Missouri prosecutors filed a legal action aimed at preventing a proposed marijuana legalization issue from going on the fall ballot.The group, which includes Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd and Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Dan White, said the measure would be unconstitutional because federal law makes marijuana an illegal controlled substance.The prosecutors said Missouri law cannot take precedence over federal law.Baker said that while prosecutors sympathize with people who seek to use marijuana to treat medical problems or their symptoms, the federal Food and Drug Administration has the authority to approve it for these uses. The agency has not done so and continues to maintain it as a Schedule I controlled substance.

A dozen Missouri prosecutors filed a legal action aimed at preventing a proposed marijuana legalization issue from going on the fall ballot.

The group, which includes Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd and Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Dan White, said the measure would be unconstitutional because federal law makes marijuana an illegal controlled substance.


The prosecutors said Missouri law cannot take precedence over federal law.

Baker said that while prosecutors sympathize with people who seek to use marijuana to treat medical problems or their symptoms, the federal Food and Drug Administration has the authority to approve it for these uses. The agency has not done so and continues to maintain it as a Schedule I controlled substance.