If you’re 21, don’t have a medical card, but need access to marijuana, you’ll be able to purchase it legally as soon as Feb. 6 2023 if Amendment 3 passes in Missouri.  

On Nov. 8, citizens of Missouri can vote to legalize recreational marijuana. This will include a provision that would allow anyone convicted of certain marijuana-related offenses to petition for release from prison or parole and have their records expunged. There will also be a 6% tax on the retail price of marijuana that goes toward court costs and legal fees for expungements for people convicted of marijuana offenses. 

However, unlike some marijuana laws in other states, there will be some restrictions in Missouri. You can only grow up to 6 plants for personal use, and you can be fined if you possess 3 ounces or more. 

Despite these restrictions, junior Megan Worland agreed that recreational marijuana should be legalized in Missouri. 

 “I agree that weed should be legalized and decriminalized because the effects of getting caught with such a small amount are very strict. There are harder drugs people could be doing and should be serving time for, rather than weed,” she said.  

Senior Sam Jones also agreed thinking recreational marijuana should be legalized. 

“I think it should be legalized because it’s not detrimental to those who use it and there are other substances that are worse than weed and have a bigger effect on you and those around you,” he said. 

School Resource Officer Corey White disagrees and believes marijuana will lead people to harder drugs. 

“I believe medical marijuana should only be legal. If recreational marijuana becomes legal people will abuse the drug once it becomes legal and easier to get. They’ll stop getting the fix they’re looking for from weed and start mixing it with other things causing them to start harder drugs,” he said. 

Although the legal age will be 21 for recreational marijuana, junior Lauren Merlo said it still could negatively affect teens. 

“Teens are going to have much easier access to weed now. It could easily become overused in a way that will negatively affect teens. Some teens don’t know how to control themselves or use it properly, which could affect their health majorly,” she said. 

White agrees that this law being passed will negatively affect teens. 

“It will definitely affect teens and there will be more peer pressure to smoke which can cause even more issues. I believe we already have a weed problem at South and if this law passes there will be an even bigger problem,” he said. 

On the other hand, Worland had a different opinion. 

“I don’t think the use of teen smoking will increase. It’s already pretty easy to get it, so if a kid wanted it they more than likely have already got it,” she said.  

Worland also showed concern for teens’ mental health and how it can affect them. 

“It definitely could affect mental health as any drug would, but I think it differs for each person. Some have negative effects and some have positive. Some may abuse the drug as well which could have negative effects,” Worland said.  

Junior Hayden Kullorn also agreed with this.

“It could negatively affect those who abuse it, but that would be their own doing,” she said. 

So why do you think this law hasn’t been passed before? 

“I think it was not passed because of how popular smoking has become for teens and young adults. People may be worried that this will lead society to less healthy and educated people,” Merlo says. 

Sam Jones has a different opinion and believes the law will be passed. 

“I think it will be passed because there’s been a change in culture and the people who are voting are wanting the legalization of marijuana more and more,” he said. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, “About half of 9th through 12th grades have reported trying marijuana at least once.” 

“I think it will more likely not be passed because of people’s common misuse of drugs. I think there is a decent amount of people who will use this in the right way, like medical reasons, and some would take advantage of the easier access” Merlo says. 

Worland had a different opinion on whether it would be passed or not. 

“I think it’ll eventually be passed, but the rules and regulations for it will be very strict preventing any misuse of it,” she said.