Mere talk of medical marijuana legalization has some Missouri lawmakers scurrying; the state government is now preemptively passing resolutions to record the position of opposing local governments. While medical or recreational legalization of the drug in the Show Me State may remain unlikely for the present moment, it is far more certain that legalized marijuana would save state law enforcement money and time.<\/p>\n
Two states, Colorado and Washington, have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes, and 18 more permit the use of cannabis for medical purposes. In Missouri, however, marijuana possession is illegal, and the state has some of the strictest marijuana laws in the nation: possession of less than 35 grams is a misdemeanor, but conviction for possession of a single gram can result in a sentence of up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. Possession of more than 35 grams of cannabis is a felony in the state.<\/p>\n