On Tuesday, November 6th, citizens in four states will be voting on cannabis measures. We’ve already covered Michigan, North Dakota and Utah. Today? We’re discussing Missouri’s Amendment 2 and its promise of medicinal cannabis for residents of the Show-Me State.
Overview on Missouri’s Amendment 2
Is Cannabis Legal in Missouri? No. However, since 2014 possession of small amounts of cannabis have been decriminalized. Amendment 2 would make medicinal marijuana legal for qualifying medical patients in Missouri. Adult use would still be illegal under Amendment 2, but its passage would be a start. Passage would also allow the state to set up and regulate appropriate production and distribution facilities. 24 retail locations throughout Missouri’s eight congressional districts would be created.
However, Amendment 2 Is a Little Bigger Than “Just Medicinal”
Amendment 2 would give physicians and doctors the authority to prescribe cannabis to patients. There is no hard and fast political determination of what is deemed “qualifying” under Amendment 2. It seems like a commonsense move, but given how politicized some issues can become, this is a sneakily smart move on the part of Amendment 2’s writers. Additionally, all tax revenue that exceed regulation costs will go towards Missouri’s veterans.
Missouri’s Amendment 2 Presents a Clear and Adaptable Path That Other States Can Model After
The amendment would put control and supervision of medical marijuana in the hands of Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Service. However, it also grants that department the autonomy to contract with other state orgs and departments for expedited and more efficient regulation and enforcement. Given what a challenge other states have seen with onboarding cannabis programs, Missouri’s built-in flexibility may well be a solution other states could choose to emulate when they go legal.
Amendment 2 Means Compassionate and Reasonable Treatment for Missourians
It’s a big step to take, but Missouri’s first legally available medicinal cannabis would be a blessing for a lot of patients suffering from any number of debilitating medical issues.