JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Cole County judge has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to kick one of three proposals to legalize medical marijuana off the November ballot.
The lawsuit, filed by Dr. Brad Bradshaw, the backer of one of the three proposals, alleged that the competing initiative of New Approach Missouri had broken the law when gathering signatures.
New Approach Missouri asks judge to dismiss lawsuit alleging unlawful signature collection method
Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce dismissed the case on Friday, saying that even if the signatures had been improperly collected, the Missouri Supreme Court has already ruled that the deciding factor when deciding whether to remove a ballot question lies with the proving of whether the signatures gathered are those of registered voters, not how the signatures were gathered.
“With the dismissal of attorney Brad Bradshaw’s frivolous lawsuit, Missourians will have the opportunity to vote for Amendment 2 and make Missouri the 31st state that allow doctors to recommend medical marijuana to patients with debilitating illnesses,” Jack Cardetti, Amendment 2 spokesman, said. “Amendment 2 is supported by a true coalition of patients, veterans and health care providers who believe doctors and their patients should be put back in charge of medical treatment options. Our patient and veteran-centered approach stands in stark contrast to Amendment 3 and Brad Bradshaw, who is a coalition of one that is in this strictly for himself. Today’s victory means Missouri can now move this important medical issue forward on behalf of Missouri patients and veterans.”
Jim Meadows, Bradshaw’s attorney, has declined media requests for comment at this time.
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
