JEFFERSON CITY (KMOX) - A petition that would legalize recreational marijuana in Missouri has been submitted to the state, with hopes of getting on the November 2022 ballot.
A ballot initiative was filed last week by Legal Missouri 2022, a statewide coalition, that would allow residents age 21 and older to possess, grow and use marijuana. It would also expunge the criminal records of those with low-level marijuana offenses in Missouri. The NAACP supports the measure, saying it would "be the single largest criminal justice reform undertaken in Missouri and long overdue," according to The Missouri Times.
The 38-page petition says a 6% sales tax would generate millions in revenue for the state, plus, local governments would be able to collect its own sales tax up to 3%.
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“There’s widespread support among Missouri voters to regulate, tax and legalize marijuana,” stated John Payne of Legal Missouri 2022. “The status quo has allowed an unsafe, illegal market to thrive in Missouri, while preventing law enforcement from truly prioritizing the fight against violent crime.”
But it has some critics. Fair Access Missouri Coalition, another group making a push for legal cannabis in Missouri, says Legal Missouri 2022 organizers are "trying to pull a fast one on voters" and are "trying to give themselves a constitutionally-protected monopoly on a statewide adult-use cannabis market."
"We all know Missourians are ready to legalize marijuana. It’s common sense. The question is whether we will have an artificially-closed market that can’t be fixed, or whether we will have an open market that empowers consumers and encourages entrepreneurship," stated Fair Access Missouri Coalition. "The Fair Access Missouri coalition is fighting for an open market based on freedom and fair play. Missourians deserve nothing less."
To qualify for the November 2022 ballot the petition will need 171,592 valid signatures from registered voters.
In the US, 18 states and D.C. have legalized marijuana for recreational use.
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