Cannabis law reforms, particularly medical marijuana measures, have had great success across the nation. We’ve had four states and our nation’s capital legalize cannabis for all adults while 23 states have legalized medicinal use. However, our success has been lagging in Middle America, our nation’s Heartland, but we can change that by legalizing medical marijuana in Missouri this November.
Missouri, the state of my birth, has a special place in my heart and is where I got my start in activism, helping legalize personal amounts of medical cannabis and decriminalizing personal use in Columbia, Missouri, all the way back in 2004. Some of the great folks that led that effort are still in Missouri making progress that includes decriminalizing small amounts in St. Louis and freeing Jeff Mizanskey from prison. They have also helped Missouri pass baby step medical legislation, but now are well on their way to passing a great medical law, but they need help.
Below is a fundraising request from Amber Langston, a longtime advocate that inspired me to get involved in the cause over 15 years ago, and one of the major reasons that marijuana law reform has made any progress in the Show-Me State. Medical marijuana has polled very well in Missouri and if Show-Me Cannabis and New Approach Missouri are successful, the victory will have positive repercussions, particularly in more conservative states that have yet to pass medical cannabis legislation. It is one thing for politicians and voters in states such as Arkansas and Louisiana to see that Oregon, California or New York have medical programs, but Missouri will really shake things up. Please consider donating to New Approach Missouri’s effort and let’s continue our momentum state-by-state.
Show Me the Money!Dear Cannabis Community,In November 2016, Missouri has the opportunity to become the second largest medical cannabis market in the country and to give our patient population much-needed access to their life-saving medicine. New Approach Missouri – a campaign committee which is an outgrowth of the 501(c)4 organization Show-Me Cannabis – is currently collecting the 165,000+ valid signatures needed for a robust constitutional amendment initiative petition which would allow for home cultivation and mandate dispensary licensing throughout the state.On the plus side, the language has been written by and for the people of Missouri. On the downside, the effort doesn’t favor any particular millionaires, so there’s no one specific entity or interest to bankroll the process. We rely on everyday people to donate $35, $50, $100, $500 or $1000.We have done a tremendous job bringing together a coalition and raising money from in-state supporters. Polling shows support at 70% on the proposed measure according to political news source Missouri Scout.But if we don’t raise another $500k in the next few weeks, Missouri and its patients are out of luck, and probably for a couple of years.Missouri represents the middle of the middle of the United States and is considered a political bellwether by many. Indeed, my choice to move back home to fight this fight was largely influenced by my experiences abroad when I was working on international drug policy for Students for Sensible Drug Policy. I saw firsthand how policies around the world would only change when the United States changed. So I went straight back to my roots. I left California and moved back home to the Show-Me State.I could make a lot of money if I left Missouri to work in Colorado or Oregon or California. But I need to get this done first, and I need your help to do it.Thank you for helping patients in Missouri and for helping patients around the world. We can only get this done together – and that means you!In solidarity,Amber Iris LangstonDeputy Director, Show-Me Cannabis
