Advocates in Missouri are gathering signatures for an unorthodox measure to legalize medical and recreational cannabis, MissouriNet reports. Unlike other initiatives, Steve Leck’s does not include an age limit for cannabis consumption and would allow people to drive under the influence of cannabis.
Leck says the measure doesn’t include an age restriction because many children benefit from medicinal cannabis but that the petitioners are “not advocating the recreational sales to minors by any stretch.”
“We believe that it should be treated no differently than alcohol in terms of any adult should be able to consume whatever they want as long as they are not affecting anybody else or harming anyone else,” he said in the report.
Leck said the provisions effectively legalizing driving under the influence of cannabis are an effort to prevent unjust vehicle searches. He claims that when officers use the excuse of “red eyes” they could actually be violating the rights of law-abiding citizens who might be suffering from allergies or other medical issues.
“All of the sudden they are being pulled over, their rights are being violated, their car is being searched,” Leck said. “If we eliminate that, we can keep intact some of our amendments guaranteed by both the state and U.S. Constitutions.”
Additionally, the measure is asking Missourians whether the state should be prohibited from assisting enforcement of federal cannabis laws, whether individuals convicted of non-violent cannabis crimes should be released from incarceration and all records destroyed, and whether medical cannabis sales should be taxed.
According to petition materials, the legalization initiative could save the state $10.7 million per year and would cost the state about $700,000 annually in operating costs.
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