JEFFERSON CITY, Mo — “Incredible” is a word that Rep. Mike Colona, D-St. Louis, used several times during a committee yesterday while hearing House Bill 1659, “and that is incredible as not credible,” he made a point of clarifying.
House Bill 1659 sponsored by Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, is a bill similar to ones recently passed by the states of Colorado and Washington that would legalize the use, growing, and regulation of marijuana in the state of Missouri.
“I want you to know that I am deadly serious about the subject,” Kelly said.
Kelly said that over time he has changed his previous anti-cannabis stance. It was Kelly’s time as a judge in Columbia that swayed his opinion, as he had to sentence people for a crime that he saw, more and more, as one that should not be prosecuted.
Kelly then had to excuse himself from the committee to fulfill one of his other duties, while witnesses began to take the stand.
The representatives conveyed a range of opinions on the topic. Rep. Ken Wilson, R-Smithville, addressed Kelly, “I sense and know that you are sincere about this, but I still have grave concerns.”
Rep. Brandon Ellington D- Kansas City, mentioned that he is in favor of legalization and said he supports the bill.
The witness selection for pro-legalization went back and forth between those testifying for medical purposes and those for recreational use.
The more emotional testimonies came from witnesses like Brady Johnson, who came with her sick son, who suffers from a disease so rare that only 35 cases have ever been recorded.
Johnson explained her son’s case history. At one point, he suffered from 200 seizures per day.
Johnson said her son needs CBD oil, a derivative of a specific strain of cannabis called Charlotte’s Web, to live an easier life.
“This isn’t for a bunch of kids and stoners who want to get high, this is for kids with no other option,” she said.
A second mother also testified on behalf of her sick son, talking about the positive effects of the CBD oil extract. Heidi Rayl explained her situation, and how currently, the CBD oil extract cost $400 per month. With the legalization of marijuana in Missouri, she would be able to grow her own plants and extract the oil herself at a much lower cost.
As for the witnesses that Colona questioned, they fell on both sides of the argument. John Payne, Executive Director of Show-Me Cannabis and Jason J. Grellner, Vice President of the Missouri Narcotics Association, fell into Rep. Colona’s definition of incredible. Payne was questioned by Colona because he kept citing medical needs for marijuana, although the bill and his organization are for the total recreational legalization.
“You’re not doing yourself any favors,” Colona told Payne.
Grellner attacked the pro-legalization argument from a medical standpoint.
“We don’t smoke opium to get morphine. How much more concise do I have to be?” he said.
Grellner testified after an anti-narcotic disposition and was called out by Colona.
“It doesn’t matter what you say, everything is sort of incredible to some folks on the committee,” Colona said. “I think law enforcement is all over the spectrum on this.”
