Chris Combs Featured in the News
Effect of Newly Legal Recreational Marijuana on Policing in Missouri
Following the 2022 midterm elections, marijuana has become legal for recreational use in Missouri. This inevitably leads to a number of questions regarding the law and enforcement of the law. STL Today published a story on November 14, 2022 about how the new law will affect how laws are enforced.
Combs Waterkotte’s founder and principal attorney Chris Combs was quoted in the story, which reflected on concerns about DWI law enforcement now that it is legal to consume marijuana for recreational purposes in Missouri. Chris discusses law enforcement’s use of odor as a probable cause to search drivers they suspect of marijuana intoxication.
Turn to Combs Waterkotte
Many Missourians are now wondering what the new law means, especially those with previous marijuana-related criminal convictions or those who are interested in consuming or possessing marijuana legally. Combs Waterkotte can help you with your marijuana charges, drug paraphernalia charges and other criminal cases and help you navigate the law and possible expungement of your record for marijuana-related crimes now that recreational use is legal. Send us a message or call (314) 900-HELP to talk to our attorneys about the new law today.
More on Missouri’s New Marijuana Legalization Law
On Tuesday, November 8 2022, voters weighed in on the issue of legalizing marijuana for recreational use in the state of Missouri. The issue was included on the midterm ballot under Amendment 3. By a narrow majority of 53%, voters approved the measure. Amendment 3, which has now passed into law, specifies that:
- Adults 21 and older can purchase and possess up to three ounces of cannabis
- Individuals with a registration card can grow six flowering plants, six immature plants, and six clones
- A six percent sales tax will be implemented and the revenue will go toward facilitating automatic expungements for people with certain non-violent marijuana offenses on their records, with any remaining revenue going toward veterans’ healthcare, substance misuse treatment and the state’s public defender system
- Public consumption, driving under the influence of cannabis, and underage marijuana use are explicitly prohibited
- The measure will codify employment protections for medical cannabis patients
- Medical marijuana cards will be valid for three years at a time, instead of one
- Caregivers will be able to serve double the number of patients
Need help navigating our new recreational marijuana laws? Do you have a previous marijuana-related criminal conviction that you would like to have expunged now that the laws have changed? Concerned about a DWI stop you recently experienced? Combs Waterkotte and our experienced drug and DWI attorneys will lead the way. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP.
