Mayor of St. Louis signs measures to decriminalize cannabis

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones signed an ordinance decriminalizing cannabis this week saying the measure will help eradicate racial disparities in enforcing cannabis prohibition laws in the city. Jones approved the measure, which was passed by the Alderman board last month, at a signing ceremony in town hall on Monday.

The new ordinance, Board Bill 132, repeals city laws regarding the possession of small amounts of cannabis and drug paraphernalia within the city of St. Louis. The mayor’s office issued a statement found the move is compatible with Amendment 2, the 2018 poll that legalized medical marijuana in Missouri after 82 percent of St. Louis voters and more than 65 percent of the vote in the all over the country had agreed.

Note that the ordinance is the latest step in its “mission to bring the public back to public safety,” noting that nearly 600 have been arrested in St. Louis over the past three years on marijuana allegations. Nearly 500 of them were black.

“We’re seeing a big change in the way our country not only sees marijuana, but how it relates to public safety, incarceration, and economic opportunity in our communities,” Jones told reporters. “This bill will help narrow the racial gaps in our policing, make our city safer, and make St. Louis more competitive in hiring positions in the city.”

The signing ceremony on Monday was attended by aldermen representing parishes from across St. Louis. Alderman Bret Narayan, sponsor of the bill, thanked the mayor and colleagues, noting that the move will have other benefits for the city as well.

“It is rare that we see so many people from so many different backgrounds who come together for a single cause, and that is exactly what we have done here,” said Narayan. “This law represents the clear will of the people of St. Louis. It will enable our law enforcement agencies to use their resources on the most pressing problems in our region, help with labor shortages in our urban departments and also help prevent our injured first responders from falling into the pitfalls of opiate addiction. “

Measure to decriminalize cannabis enjoys broad support

The measure was approved by the Alderman board on November 23.

“It has approval from the public safety director,” Narayan said. “It has the approval of the HR director. We spoke to practically every stakeholder along the way. “

The move to decriminalize cannabis in St. Louis is also supported by activists and representatives of the growing medical cannabis industry in Missouri. Tom Muzzey, the CEO of SWADE Cannabis, which operates five pharmacies within the city limits, said that “Political reforms are vital and we recognize that states and local jurisdictions are struggling to address existing social, economic issues and address racial inequality ”. with cannabis. “

“As an industry leader, we feel it is our responsibility to help with the narrative and guide everyone involved,” continued Muzzey. “Together with our partners, we are committed to fighting for the changes that are necessary to create a fairer and more equitable industry.”

Although the bill changes the city’s cannabis enforcement policy, Dan Viets, executive director of the Missouri Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marihuana Laws (NORML), noted that the new ordinance does not provide complete protection from prosecution.

“If we just overturn the local ordinances, the police still have the ability to bring charges under state law,” said Viets.

Viets said the focus on cannabis reform needs to continue at the state level, noting that “19 states have already legalized adult marijuana use”. Legalization advocates are in the process of collecting the 170,000 signatures required to put a recreational cannabis initiative on Missouri’s ballot for the 2022 election.

“It’s not a radical proposal at all,” said Viets. “It’s one that will lead to much greater scrutiny of marijuana regulation. Taxation and legalization are better for everyone. “