Show Me Progress

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri marijuana advocates want to ask voters next year to legalize the drug and regulate its medical use.

A group called Show-Me Cannabis filed its initiative request with the Missouri Secretary of State on Wednesday.

If the state approves the ballot language for the proposed Missouri constitutional amendment, supporters would need to collect enough signatures from registered voters by next May to get the question on the November ballot.

The measure would decriminalize pot use, possession and small-scale cultivation by Missourians age 21 and older. It would also require the state to issue retail licenses to sell the drug and oversee a medical marijuana program.

Sixteen states have medical marijuana programs. Activists are targeting several other states next year.

It's interesting to see what happens in this state, because Missouri so often surprises in the polls.  However, it would have a huge impact on surrounding states.  Drug enforcement programs are losing the war on meth, this would better direct resources while budget cuts make those departments take efficiency to whole new levels.  That is putting the cart before the horse, however.  The real fun will be watching it play out and seeing who dares show support.   

Missouri's budget can't pour much more into the black hole of the war on marijuana.  When it comes to a little hippie action versus the ravaging plague that is meth, to me there is no question what should be a priority.  But as we know, the most intelligent solution isn't always the most profitable.