cannabisnews.com: Bill Restricting Tournaments Weeded Out





Bill Restricting Tournaments Weeded Out
Posted by CN Staff on March 18, 2005 at 08:41:39 PT
By Xin Li
Source: Columbia Missourian
High school athletic tournaments will go on in Columbia. At least for now. Sen. Chuck Gross, R-St. Charles, has decided to withdraw a proposed bill that would prevent public school tournaments from being held in Columbia because of its marijuana ordinances. In return, a warning letter will be sent to high school athletic teams by the Missouri State High School Activities Association. Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, announced the compromise at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
“We’ll be able to satisfy most of Senator Gross’ concerns, and make sure that students coming here will know that it’s not legal to smoke marijuana in Columbia,” Graham said at the press conference.The letter says, “It’s important that all visitors, including students, recognize that use or possession of marijuana remains illegal and the new ordinances merely modified the potential penalties.”Gross said he will still try to pass the bill, but not right away.“I will not pursue the bill in the immediate future,” Gross said, adding that he still believes “Columbia should rescind the ordinance.”Last November, Columbia voters approved two ordinances that allow the use of marijuana for medical purpose prescribed by a physician, and also limit the punishment for possessing small amounts of marijuana to a fine of $250. Senate Bill 197, proposed by Gross in January, would forbid any elementary school or high school sports events from taking place in a city tolerant of marijuana use. Columbia is the only city in Missouri that bill would apply to.Gross said the ordinances sent the wrong message to young people. “We don’t want kids coming to Columbia to think drug use would be OK here,” he said.In a public hearing conducted by the Senate Education Committee in mid-February, Gross modified the language of the bill so it was limited to tournaments, not all sporting events. Even so, the proposed bill would be a huge blow to businesses in Columbia if passed. Lorah Steiner, director of the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the high school basketball tournaments taking place this past weekend and this weekend will bring $3 million in revenue to Columbia, and the wrestling tournaments in February generated more than $1 million.“The economic benefit to Columbia from (MSHSAA) tournaments was threatened by the bill,” Steiner said. “Any change in that proposal would certainly be welcomed.”Basketball teams that will compete at Mizzou Arena in the state semifinals and finals this weekend have all received the letter with clarification from MSHSAA. The association will send similar letters in the future to athletic teams competing in the city.Gross said the letter is a good start, but not enough. “It needs to be supported by coaches, school officials and parents,” he said. “It takes effort of everybody.” Source: Columbia Missourian (MO)Author: Xin LiPublished: March 18, 2005 Copyright: 2005 Columbia MissourianContact: editor digmo.com Website: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/Related Articles:Senator Seeks To Penalize City for Marijuana Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20140.shtmlMarijuana Measures Pass Handily http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19765.shtml 
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Comment #5 posted by global_warming on March 18, 2005 at 16:36:16 PT
re:Sen. Chuck Gross, R-St. Charles,
Senate Bill 197, proposed by Gross in January, would forbid any elementary school or high school sports events from taking place in a city tolerant of marijuana use. Columbia is the only city in Missouri that bill would apply to..Gross said the ordinances sent the wrong message to young people..“We don’t want kids coming to Columbia to think drug use would be OK here,” he said."Can you imagine that, that drug use might be OK. I imagine that Mr. Gross would have a similar disdain for honest and fair elections, shucks, before you know it, them folks will be running this country.This is so typical of the South, that same good ol South that to this day hides in the shadows of righteousness, that tries to suger coat so much disgrace, by hiding behind so many churches, trying to forget and never forgiving, endlessly building monuments to Jesus, but crucifying in the shadows.The South is still held captive, and it is this Columbia that has managed to break free from the grips of those ol boys, God Bless.The South reminds me of the Taliban, those same old tired and frustrated religious folks, that believe that abstinence and starvation will get you closer to God. They so quickly forget that God made the Honey Bee, and the sweet taste of that fruit, is a balm and testament to the Glory of God.Though the sting of the Bee is painful, it is rarely fatal, and the fruit is worth the bite.May God Bless those folks in Columbia, for they will tear out the core of the filth that infects the South, they will stand as witness as these diseased souls come forward to ask for forgiveness, and they will bless this land with Grace and a new strength, that will shine back to God, and send the correct message, that "WE" the people, are going to figure it out, and we will come back to you GOD, with baskets of fruit and with stories that will fill your heart, that we have been good children, we come back with love and kindness and we have made this world a place you can visit and find your child Grace and the hand of Hope tending your Garden and your Table.peacegw
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Comment #4 posted by dongenero on March 18, 2005 at 13:44:33 PT
serving the people
I guess if Sen Gross' behavior is insubordinate to the voters, it's time to vote him out. He serves at the pleasure of the people.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 18, 2005 at 12:11:57 PT
Sponsor Withdraws Bill To Punish Columbia Voters 
Dear Friends:NORML is pleases to announce that Senate Bill 197, which sought to prohibit Missouri public schools from participating in sporting events that take place in cities that have deprioritized marijuana possession, has been withdrawn by Senator Chuck Gross (R-St. Charles), the bill's sponsor. This bill was nothing more than a mean spirited attempt to punish the citizens of Columbia, MO for voting to change the city's marijuana laws last November. When the bill was introduced, NORML asked our supporters to voice their opposition to this proposal, and thanks to the help from concerned activists like you, the Missouri Senate heard the message loud and clear.NORML would like to thank everyone who took the time to oppose this bill. We would also like to thank Missouri NORML and Missouri University NORML for their tireless efforts to bring sane and rational marijuana laws to Columbia, MO.To help support NORML's state legislative efforts, please donate today at: https://secure.norml.org/join/Thank you again for your help in killing this dangerous and offensive piece of legislation. We hope that we can count on your support in the future.Regards,Kris Krane, Associate Director NORML
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Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on March 18, 2005 at 09:11:55 PT
Great news!
Now every high school student, their families, and some adminstrators and faculty will be reminded annually that MJ reform is happening, that there are other options. Thanks guys, for keeping the candle of freedom burning bright!
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Comment #1 posted by mayan on March 18, 2005 at 08:56:23 PT
What an Idiot
“I will not pursue the bill in the immediate future,” Gross said, adding that he still believes “Columbia should rescind the ordinance.”But the voters of Columbia overwhelmingly supported the ordinance.Gross said the ordinances sent the wrong message to young people.But the voters of Columbia overwhelmingly supported the ordinances. What a pompous clown Gross is. 
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