Missouri Proposal Would Expand Cannabis Law and Introduce New Protections   

A proposal in Missouri would repeal the state’s existing constitutional
provisions on cannabis and replace them with a new framework that would
cover both medical and adult-use markets, KMBC News reports. The
legislation would expand legal protections, eliminate possession limits,
and change how cannabis is regulated, taxed, and enforced in the state.

Under the proposal, purchase and possession limits would be eliminated,
adults and qualifying patients could grow up to 10 flowering cannabis or
hemp plants, 10 nonflowering plants over 14 inches, and 10 clones under 14
inches at home. Legal protections would expand for consumers, caregivers,
and businesses involved in cannabis-related activity. The proposal would
also expunge low-level cannabis convictions and limit civil and
criminal penalties linked to lawful use.

The resolution also includes workplace protections prohibiting
discrimination of off-the-clock cannabis consumption unless the worker’s
performance is impacted or there is a safety concern.

The measure would require the legislature to establish a new regulator and
tax structure for cannabis and hemp products that would impose limits on
combined state and local taxes. Cannabis and hemp derived tax funds would
be directed to veterans’ services, substance abuse treatment, and public
defender programs.

The bill has not yet been assigned to a committee.