Hartzler holds marijuana impact summit to discuss concerns about Amendment 3
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri will be heading to the polls next week to vote on Amendment 3.
The amendment would legalize the recreational sales of marijuana for adults.
While some are in favor of the amendment, Rep. Vicky Hartzler held a marijuana impact summit Tuesday to talk about cannabis issues in Missouri.
A panel of nine people -- who supported a "no" vote on Amendment 3 -- attended the round table event.
As the industry continues to grow, some people, like Hartzler, have concerns.
Hartzler claims the legalization would only be an advantage for the marijuana industry.
"Provisions in this Amendment 3 that are stacked for the marijuana industry," Hartzler said. "It was written by the marijuana industry, to profit the marijuana industry at the expense of the Missouri people."
The panel addressed concerns of people under the influence of the drug while on the job or on the road.
Jordan Davidson, of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said the technology isn't there to accurately determine if someone is an impaired driver.
"We don't have a system to really accurately test like we do with alcohol, been doubling of marijuana involved fatalities on the road, a 206% increase in stoned driving among youth in Colorado," Davidson said.
The panel also claimed that the marketing of marijuana edibles is targeted towards children to look like candy.
Steven Faber, President of Mid-Mo Norml, disagrees that edibles are targeted toward children and said the legalization will be handled in the right way.
"First of all, saying that its targeted to young children I think that is fear mongering," Faber said. "(You) think I'm gonna leave edibles around for my grandchildren to eat? We're trying to legalize responsible adult use of marijuana, we aren't trying to legalize stupidity."
Amendment 3 would also allow residents to apply for registration cards to grow a limited amount of plants at their homes and could allow the expungement of certain non-violent offenses.
