Voters May Have the Chance to Legalize Marijuana in the state of Missouri
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Voters May Have the Chance to Legalize Marijuana in the state of Missouri

Date: November 8, 2011
By: Matt Evans
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Missouri voters might get their chance to legalize pot in the state. Two initiative petitions have been approved by the secretary of state to gather signatures to put them on the 2012 ballot.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The petition needs 150,000 signatures to get on the ballot. Dan Viets heads the Columbia-based Show-Me-Cannabis.

Actuality:  VIETS1.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "People are very happy to know that this effort is underway. We've gotten calls from people all over the state - people we've never heard from before. So there's a great deal of enthusiasm."

But House crime committee member, Republican Brent Lasater says Viet's initiates can not pass. 

Actuality:  LASATER2.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "Well when it comes to drugs, I don't think we need to be playing with fire. And that's exactly what we'd be doing. No matter how innocent it looks."

The initiatives aim to legalize pot for all individuals 21 or older and would make medicinal marijuana available to those under 21.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans.

Intro: 
Missouri voters will get the chance to make pot legal for anyone 21 or older if a group gets 150,000 signatures in the next six months. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan has approved two initiative petitions to start collecting signatures.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Show-me-Cannabis head man Dan Viets says they're going straight to the voters.

Actuality:  VIETS2.WAV
Run Time:  00:14
Description: "Well we don't need the legislature. We're going around the legislature. So you're right, they have a conservative legislative body. We're tired of working with those guys they have been absolutely worthless in making any progressive changes."

But House crime committee member, Republican Brent Lasater says going around a law-making body isn't the way to make a law.

Actuality:  LASATER3.WAV
Run Time:  00:04
Description: "It's wrong. You need to go through the process that was put there for a reason."

The initiatives would legalize pot for all individuals 21 or older and make medical marijuana available to those under 21.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans.