Missouri criminal defense attorneys endorse marijuana legalization, expungement campaign

The Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL) has endorsed a campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in the state.

MACDL has also pushed for the plan that would expunge non-violent marijuana offenses from Missourians criminal records.

"The automatic expungement of non-violent marijuana offenses would be among the most significant — and overdue — criminal justice reforms in our state's history,” said Fawzy Simon of Camdenton, MACDL president.

"It's a matter of basic fairness. Simply put, the legalization of marijuana for adult use must relieve otherwise law-abiding Missourians of the consequences of activity that is no longer considered criminal. In practical terms, this will provide a fresh start to tens of thousands of state residents.”

The proposed constitutional amendment would allow Missourians ages 21 and older to possess, consume, purchase, and cultivate marijuana. A 6 percent retail sales tax would generate estimated annual revenue of at least $40.8 million, with an optional municipal sales tax of up to 3 percent producing additional local government revenues of at least $13.8 million, a state fiscal analysis projects.