Could Pot Be Legal in Missouri, Ever?

On the heels of ballot initiatives in Colorado and Washington that successfully legalized recreational use of pot by its residents, could it happen here in the Show-Me State?

A petition drive to put it on the Nov. 6 ballot obviously failed, in spite of efforts around the state to get enough signatures. Activitists brought the drive to The U City Loop in February and the Eureka branch of the St. Louis Public Library in March.

Informal polls on Eureka-Wildwood Patch and University City Patch showed overwhelming support for legalization. But, of course, they're self-selecting polls, not scientific.

Most of us probably missed the Nov. 3 conference on the subject of legalizing pot in Missouri, hosted by the Show-Me Cannabis organizers. 

A study by the National Cannabis Coalition in conjunction with Show-Me Cannabis found that legal (and taxable) pot would generate substantial cash for the state budget, according to an article last month in the Riverfront Times.

The $149 million comes from several different places, but mostly from no longer having to police and prosecute pot smokers.

According to Show-Me Cannabis's John Payne, the group commissioned the study while their 2012 legalization campaign was still alive and well. Because of that, Missouri's study came out first, but he says there will be studies for all 50 states at some point.

According to Dr. Miron's figures, Missouri's government would save $90 million annually and generate $59 million from taxing legalized marijuana like cigarettes and booze.

We have to assume that most people don't like the idea of legalizing pot in the state, since the petitition drive did not successfully put it on the Nov. 6 ballot.

But is it just a matter of time? Advocates aren't going away. The efforts are continuing. Why do you oppose it? Or why do you support legalization, if you do?