The Missouri House has voted 108-50 to send a proposed constitutional change to the Missouri Senate. The proposal would let voters decide if proposed changes to the Missouri Constitution should be raised from the current simple majority to 60 percent voter approval. House Joint Resolution 43 is sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tem Mike Henderson (R-Desloge), who says out-of-state groups with no ties to Missouri have spent millions of dollars to change the state’s Constitution. Pro Tem Henderson tells 939 the Eagle’s “Randy Tobler show” that many of these groups are not grassroots. Democrats and other opponents of Henderson’s HJR 43 say the proposal would stifle the voices of Missouri voters. They say the initiative petition process is needed because Missouri GOP lawmakers did not act on medical marijuana, minimum wage increases and other priorities for Democrats:
Columbia’s first day of recreational marijuana sales begins
Sales of recreational marijuana are underway in Columbia this (Tuesday) morning.
Columbia’s city council voted unanimously last night to approve revisions to marijuana business licensing regulations.
53 percent of Missouri voters approved Constitutional Amendment three in November, which legalized non-medical marijuana. Under amendment three, any medical marijuana facility holding an active license has the right to convert that license to a comprehensive marijuana facility license.
Columbia spokeswoman Sydney Olsen tells 939 the Eagle that sales began this morning because the city started accepting pre-applications before last night’s meeting to be prepared assuming the council approved it.
Olsen also says all six Columbia marijuana license holders have submitted requests to convert their medical licenses to comprehensive licenses.
(AUDIO): Missouri Secretary of State Ashcroft appears on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) is praising a Cole County judge’s decision to uphold Secretary Ashcroft’s certification regarding Missouri’s November recreational marijuana ballot measure. Ashcroft says supporters of the measure had enough valid signatures, adding that he’s proud of the work his office staff did. Ashcroft joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” He tells listeners he personally is opposed to recreational marijuana, emphasizing there’s a difference between that and medical marijuana. He also addressed Missouri’s new voter ID law, telling listeners that if you’re registered to vote in November, you can vote: