MO St. Rep. Michael Davis Proposes Drug Possession Defelonization Legislation

Currently in the state of Missouri, any drug possession offense except for marijuana under 35 grams is an automatic felony. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, in 2014 (the last year data was available), there were 31,062 drug arrests in Missouri, some 18,000 of which were for marijuana.

We are proud to let you know that Missouri State Representative Michael Davis (R-Kansas City), a first term legislator, has filed House Bill 704 that would reduce the penalty for drug possession from a felony to a misdemeanor. Members of the Crossing Paths Political Action Committee worked with Rep. Davis on this proposal and we are grateful for his leadership.

Rep. Davis is a first term legislator and a lawyer whose goal is "...to make Missouri a freer state. I want less government. I want Missourians to have more freedom.”

The key to success for this legislation is finding support in law enforcement. Fortunately, attitudes in law enforcement are changing rapidly and now is a key time to start educating the law enforcement profession about public health strategies to mitigate the harms of drug abuse.

You can access our handout on this issue here.

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