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Press Release: Thirteen Initiative Petitions Relating to the Production, Sale, Distribution, and Consumption of Marijuana and Hemp Products Approved for Circulation for 2014 Ballot

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo — Secretary of State Jason Kander today announced that 13 initiative petitions relating to the production, sale, distribution, and consumption of marijuana and hemp products met state standards for circulation.

The official ballot title for six of the initiative petitions, 2014-080, 2014-081, 2014-088, 2014-089, 2014-090 and 2014-092, reads:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

  • allow the production, sale, distribution, and consumption of marijuana and hemp products by persons at least 21 years old;
  • permit the state to establish a tax and authorize regulations and licensing procedures for marijuana;
  • change criminal provisions for marijuana offenses and allow individuals who have certain marijuana-related offenses to apply to have the records relating to the offenses expunged; and
  • allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes?

State government expects $1 million in startup costs and annual operating costs starting at $4.6 million, possibly offset by unknown savings in the criminal justice system. Legislative and agency actions will impact potential increased state revenue. The annual revenue increase could possibly exceed $142 million. The fiscal impact to local governments is unknown.

The official ballot title for another five of the initiative petitions, 2014-082, 2014-083, 2014-084, 2014-085 and 2014-086, reads:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

  • allow the production, sale, distribution, and consumption of marijuana and hemp products by persons at least 21 years old;
  • permit the state to establish a tax and authorize regulations and licensing procedures for marijuana;
  • change criminal provisions for marijuana offenses and allow individuals who have certain marijuana-related offenses to apply to have the records relating to the offenses expunged; and
  • allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes?

State government expects $1 million in startup costs and annual operating costs starting at $4.6 million, possibly offset by unknown savings in the criminal justice system. Legislative and agency actions will impact potential increased state revenue. The annual revenue increase could possibly exceed $217 million. The fiscal impact to local governments is unknown.

The official ballot title for the other two of the initiative petitions, 2014-087 and 2014-091, reads:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

  • allow the production, sale, distribution, and consumption of marijuana and hemp products by persons at least 21 years old;
  • permit the state to establish a tax and authorize regulations and licensing procedures for marijuana;
  • change criminal provisions for marijuana offenses; and
  • allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes?

State government expects $1 million in startup costs and annual operating costs starting at $4.6 million, possibly offset by unknown savings in the criminal justice system. Legislative and agency actions will impact potential increased state revenue. The annual revenue increase could possibly exceed $142 million. The fiscal impact to local governments is unknown.

The petitions, which would amend Article I of the Missouri Constitution, were submitted by Dan Viets, 15 N. Tenth St., Columbia, MO 65201.

Before any constitutional changes can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2014 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to eight (8) percent of the total votes cast in the 2012 governor’s election from six of the state’s eight congressional districts.

Signatures on behalf of all initiative petitions for the 2014 ballot are due to the secretary of state’s office by no later than 5 p.m. on May 4, 2014.

Before circulating petitions, state law requires that groups must first have the form of their petition approved by the secretary of state and attorney general. The secretary of state then prepares a summary statement of no more than 100 words and the state auditor prepares a fiscal impact statement, both of which are subject to the approval of the attorney general. When both statements are approved, they become the official ballot title.

 

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