MIDTOWN ST. LOUIS (KTVI-FOX2now.com)—
The push to decriminalize marijuana appears to be gaining local momentum. Monday night marijuana advocates held an awareness rally in Midtown. Local bands, comics, and magicians are raising money for the Marijuana Policy Project and NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Supporters say legalizing and taxing marijuana would be a way for the economy to rebound.Others say cannabis could be a cure all for those with chronic illnesses.
Mark Pedersen said, "People with severe pain have been able to use far less of the toxic narcotics they have been prescribed if they have cannabis at their use."
The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse says marijuana is addictive and dangerous.
"People using marijuana they tend to believe what they want to believe. There are terrible health effects and memory, judgement and reason,"said Dan Duncan of NCADA.
In St. Louis City, supporters are just starting to circulate a petition calling for its decriminalization.
Advocates want sensible sentencing such as court summons instead of arrests.
