Thursday night, members of Show-Me Cannabis held a public meeting in Branson for both those for and against recreational use.
Executive Director for Show-Me Cannabis John Payne says the hope is to raise enough awareness to get a measure put on the 2016 ballot.
“If the government wants to institute a policy that’s going to arrest 20,000 Missourians each year, I think they need an extremely good reason for it,” says Payne. “And prohibiting a plant that has tremendous industrial use, medical use, and is no more dangerous than alcohol, in fact less so, I don’t’ think that a compelling enough argument to institute such a policy.”
At the meeting, a series of speakers from doctors to former law enforcement hosted a study session and Q&A for residents around Branson.
Dozens of locals attended the meeting.
Organizers with Show-Me Cannabis say the goal is to educate the public on the medical benefits of legalizing the schedule-one drug while also overturning what they call failed prohibition policies.
The meeting is just one of dozens around the state aimed at the push to get a pro-pot bill on the ballot in 2016.
Among those speaking at the event was former user and now convicted felon Daryl Bertrand.
He says he began using marijuana for its medical qualities after being diagnosed with a degenerative spinal disorder in the early 2000s.
Bertrand says prescription medication caused his liver to shut down twice.
He began growing his own supply, some 48 plants, that he says he never sold but after being raided by law enforcement, he was convicted as a felon.
Bertrand says he and his wife are sharing his story to show both the medical and monetary benefits of legalization.
“We hear from police all the time that they didn’t sign up to bust a pot smoker, they want to get the violence criminals, the one that’s actually committing a crime, or doing harm to another person, you’re typical cannabis smoker or user is none of that,” he says.
Bertrand says both pro and anti-marijuana advocates were encouraged to attend the meeting and, even though it’s mostly a Q&A, some debating was encouraged.
According to Payne, the next meeting will be in Hannibal, Mo. in August.
Show-Me Cannabis Holds Q&A in Branson
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