Yesterday, Missouri State Representative Ron Hicks (R-St. Charles) filed House Bill 2704, the “Cannabis Freedom Act”, an omnibus marijuana legalization bill that legalizes marijuana for adult use, releases all non-violent marijuana offenders, creates a protocol for individuals to expunge prior marijuana offenses, allows individuals on probation or parole to legally use marijuana, creates a tax deduction for those denied marijuana licenses in Missouri’s medical marijuana program in the amount of application fees paid to the state, creates a tax deduction for marijuana business operators who can’t deduct business expenses from federal taxation, creates protections for banks doing business with legal marijuana businesses, and allows hospitality operators, including bars, restaurants, and lodging establishments to provide legal marijuana consumption spaces.
Representative Hicks stated, “The Cannabis Freedom Act is the product of input from many different stakeholders including members of law enforcement and those who have endured incarceration for conduct that society now deems acceptable. I am particularly grateful for input from Oklahoma State Representative Scott Fetgatter (R-Okmulgee) for his assistance in creating a free market program that is also strictly regulated.”
New Haven Police Chief Chris Hammann and former Carter County prosecutor Rocky Kingree said in a joint statement: “Law enforcement does not need to be tasked with the thankless job of marijuana prohibition anymore and the Cannabis Freedom Act allows for the reparative justice actions that will continue the work of repairing the relationship and trust between the government and its citizens.”
