Congressional Report: How representative were Missouri’s Representatives?

In November 2018 Missourians overwhelmingly approved of medical marijuana when they approved Amendment 2, which became Article XVI of the Missouri Constitution. Over one million Missourians voted in favor of the amendment. In fact, 1,572,592 votes cast and 65% casting a ballot in favor made Amendment 2 the most voted on issue on the ballot.

In the nearly 11 months since that vote Missouri has assembled a Medical Marijuana Department helmed by DHSS, written and approved rules guiding its programs, implemented an application period and approved a blind scorer, accepted an RFP for a seed to sale tracking system, and will soon start awarding licensed facility licenses.

In addition to all that, the state now has a functioning medical marijuana program where patients can be certified and are able to cultivate their own plants or assign a caregiver to grow for them. Since patient applications first launched in June over 13,000 patients have applied to the state and over 11,000 have been approved, eclipsing the dismal predictions of some.

In the mean time, in Washington D.C., senators and representatives have worked across party lines to create some of the most effective, and widely accepted, marijuana legislation of all time.

On Wednesday, in a landmark moment, House members passed a piece of cannabis reform legislation by a 3 to 1 margin. The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act was approved to be sent to the Senate 321 to 103.

The bill is intended to offer banks and customers who own, operate, or work in legal marijuana markets – including hemp protections from federal oversight. It also offers insurance agents similar protections with the inclusion of provisions from the CLAIM Act.

But, while all of this gives Missourians and the cannabis industry a reason to celebrate, there is reason to pause. No changes are official as the bill will still need to make its way through the Senate.

Additionally Missourians are represented by 8 congressional delegates – of those 8 representatives 4 voted no – 4 voted yes.