Moving Medical Marijuna in Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Republican support for a medical marijuana law is moving a proposal forward to the full Missouri House.

A House panel Tuesday unanimously approved a Republican-sponsored measure that would allow some Missouri residents with specific illnesses to obtain and use marijuana legally.

Committee Chairman Republican Rep. Caleb Jones, of Columbia, says there are safeguards in the bill to prevent abuse. He says the House should decide on the issue.
Advocates for broader legalization of marijuana say the measure might be too restrictive. They cited concerns with tight limits on the amount patients can obtain, the exclusion of some illnesses and the lack of a home growing allowance for patients.

House Speaker John Diehl says there's a chance the measure could move forward, but he wants to be sure it's fully vetted.