Missouri House Votes To Legalize Medical Marijuana

The Missouri House has voted to legalize medical marijuana within the state.

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The House bill, named HB 1554, was approved on Tuesday in a 112-44 vote and would allow anyone over the age of 18 with a terminal disease to use medical marijuana. However, the bill does say that the marijuana must be smokeless.

 

Those suffering from conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder (among various other conditions) would also be eligible under the new House bill. The Missouri House voted on the bill partially in response to ballot initiatives that aimed to give voters the opportunity to legalize medical marijuana outside of the Legislature's control.

 

Studies Have Shown Medical Marijuana Works

 

Those in favor of the bill have cited medical marijuana's many benefits to those suffering from chronic illnesses and pain. Medical marijuana has proven to be an effective and successful medicine, with far fewer harmful side effects than traditional pharmaceutical drugs. Medical marijuana patients all over the United States are experiencing life-changing results as a result of using cannabis.

 

Despite various studies showing medical marijuana's numerous benefits, opponents of the Missouri House bill say that legalizing medical marijuana could make it easier for children to access the plant. However, studies have shown that teenage use, for example, in states where marijuana has been legalized is in decline compared to states where marijuana remains illegal.

 

There are now less than three weeks left in the legislative sessions and the Missouri House bill to legalize medical marijuana will now head to the Senate.

 

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