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COLUMBIA - It is a controversial issue that is been talked about for years and Saturday advocates for marijuana law reform gathered in Columbia.
Supporters met on the MU campus to talk about ways to increase awareness of medical marijuana legislation in Missouri.
Supporters said marijuana is safe and it can help people.
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, hosted Saturday's state conference.
Attendees heard from several speakers and from patients who say medical marijuana helped them.
For one man, it is an issue he has been passionate about for years because he said he is tired of seeing good people go behind bars.
For 23 years, Dan Viets has worked as a criminal defense lawyer in Missouri and every week he said he watches innocent people face punishment.
"It makes absolutely no sense to treat people who are otherwise law abiding productive good citizens as if they were criminals because they choose to use a substance which is less harmful than alcohol or tobacco," state coordinator for reform of marijuana laws Dan Viets said.
But opponents of marijuana use said it can affect ones body.
"Over the course of eight years I've been employed as a trooper, I have seen several cases where people where have been intoxicated on marijuana and it did impair their ability to operate their motor vehicle in a safe manner," Kyle Green from the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.
Currently in the state of Missouri, if one is found with up to one and a quarter ounces of marijuana they face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $1000.
If one is found with more than an ounce and a quarter of marijuana they face a felony charge and a prison term of up to seven years.
The fine would be up to $5000.
If an individual grows a single seed of marijuana they face a possible felony and a 15-year sentence.
But attendees at the Missouri NORML state conference Saturday had different reasons why they want officials to legalize marijuana.
"I have scoliosis, I have general disc disease, I have rheumatoid arthritis, I have de quervain syndrome in both wrists, I've had my hip replaced, and every drug I have been prescribed one of the side effects is death, even Tylenol. One of the side effects is death, there's never been a death from marijuana," Linda Yelvington said.
Even with the current laws, Viets remains positive.
"I think the government's going to wake up to the fact that there is a great deal of money to be realized by not putting people in prison where they cannot pay taxes, where they become a burden on other taxpayers, and instead taxing the commerce in marijuana," Viets said.
In the upcoming legislative session, Missouri Democrat Representative Kate Meiners of Kansas City will introduce the Missouri Medical Marijuana Bill.
Supporters said the bill would protect patients from criminal arrest and prosecution for medical marijuana users with the recommendation of a doctor.
Reported by: Alex Rozier
Edited by: Tara Grimes
Published: Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Last Updated: Monday, November 9, 2009 at 8:07 AM |
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