10 THINGS TO KNOW: The adult-use petition 2020-128
Missourians for a New Approach is collecting signatures on an initiative petition designed to legalize cannabis for adult-use in Missouri. You may have seen them collecting signatures around your town – their goal is to collect roughly 160,000 signatures by May to submit to the Secretary of State for verification to get on the ballot.
The campaign has an uphill battle ahead, as those signatures must represent 8% of 6 of 8 congressional districts’ voting population of the last presidential election.
Greenway talked to John Payne, campaign manager for Missourians for a New Approach, to gain insight into the crucial parts of the potential amendment that Missourians need to know. Greenway compiled a list of 10 “need-to-know” facts about initiative petition 2020-128.
1. Growing cannabis at home will be allowed
Residents of Missouri who are at least 21 years old will be permitted to grow up to three flowering plants at their house.
2. The amendment is trying to help those who are economically disadvantaged
Payne explained to Greenway what is considered a “microbusiness” under this amendment. It is a “business license that must be majority-owned by individuals designated as economically disadvantaged. The microbusiness can cultivate up to 150 flowering plants, process flower from themselves or any other microbusiness, and sell directly to customers or to dispensaries.” In other words, a miniature cultivation business.
3. This amendment would extend medical cannabis patient cards
Under current legislation, medical cannabis patient cards are only good for one year. Once you’ve had your card for a year, you have to go back to the doctor and get another recommendation. Then, you have to reapply with the state. This petition is trying to change this, by extending the life of medical cards to three years.
4. Taxes will help fund drug abuse prevention programs and other Missouri affairs
Payne told us, “The tax is 15% on the retail sale, and it will go to regulate the program, construct and maintain roads and bridges, fund drug abuse and prevention services, veterans services, and to local governments that participate in adult-use sales.”
5. Medical dispensaries can begin selling adult-use cannabis fairly easily
Medical dispensaries would simply need to demonstrate their ability to supply both the medical and adult-use markets. “Provided that they can show that, they will be issued an adult-use license,” said Payne.
6. Those who are 21 years or older can always possess cannabis
Payne told Greenway, “anyone 21 years of age or older can possess and purchase up to one ounce at any given time.”
7. 2020-128 is looking to help people with cannabis-related convictions
Those with certain cannabis-related convictions may have their records wiped clean if this goes into effect.
8. The amendment helps out of state medical cannabis patients
Payne told Greenway, “We make a couple of specific changes to the medical marijuana program by allowing patients coming from out of state to purchase at Missouri dispensaries.”
9. We won’t see adult-use cannabis for a while in Missouri
Should this go into effect, adult-use cannabis likely wouldn’t be available until late 2021 or early 2022.
10. This amendment would improve Missouri’s economy
According to the Secretary of State’s website, with this amendment, “state government entities are expected to have one-time costs of $21 million, annual costs of up to $6 million, and annual revenues from $93 million to $155 million by 2025. Local governments estimate unknown costs and are expected to have annual revenues from $17 million to $27 million by 2025.”
If this campaign is anything like New Approach’s campaign for Amendment 2, New Approach Missouri will release a list of locations where you can go sign the petition.