The Missouri Democratic Party says it supports marijuana legalization—but a key panel within the political organization is recommending it take a neutral position on a cannabis reform initiative that will appear on the November ballot amid concerns over provisions that deal with expungements and licensing.
The party’s State Committee met earlier this month to discuss several four proposed constitutional amendments that made the ballot, and it released its recommendations and explanations on Monday.
For Amendment 3, which is being backed by Legal Missouri 2022, the committee said that its recommendation is for the state party to adopt a stance stipulating that it “supports the legalization of marijuana, but does not have an official position” on the ballot measure.
“Democrats support legalization of recreational marijuana use. However, as written Amendment 3 may negatively impact minorities, people of color, and low-income earning Missourians,” the committee’s explanation says. “Democrats have concerns about the expungement provisions laid out in the amendment, as well as making it difficult for those who do not currently have a license to enter the industry.”
In contrast to Missouri, the Arkansas Democratic Party, as well as Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Jones, are throwing their support behind a legalization initiative
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