That a majority of local voters were in favor of a legalizing recreational marijuana was probably not a surprise to most observers. That they did so by an overwhelming majority might have come as a surprise.
Amendment 3, which legalizes recreational marijuana in Missouri, passed statewide by a margin of 53% in favor to 47% opposed at the Nov. 8 election. Platte County voters were heavily on board, with 62% of local voters approving to only 38% opposed.
In fact, every precinct–except one–in Platte County saw a majority in favor.
The lone precinct where it was opposed? Camden Point, where 53% voted against it.
The precinct with the highest percent of support for legalizing marijuana was the Line Creek precinct in southeastern Platte County. Results there showed 71% in favor to only 29% opposed. Line Creek voters cast their ballots at the Line Creek Community Center on NW Waukomis Drive in Kansas City.
Support was also extremely strong in Riverside and at the Walnut Creek precinct at Parkville.
Prosecutors throughout the state, including Platte County’s Eric Zahnd, worked to oppose the measure. Zahnd this week declined the opportunity to comment on the result or the level of local support for the amendment, saying he may have comments at a later time.
Twenty-one states have acted to legalize recreational marijuana.
In Missouri, legalization of recreational weed doesn’t actually go into effect until Dec. 8, which means none of the provisions included in Amendment 3 take effect until then.
Results in Platte County by precinct:
Platte City: 61% yes, 39% no.
Parkville (voting at Presbyterian Church precinct): 61% yes, 39% no.
Riverside: 70% yes, 30% no.
Weston: 56% yes, 44% no.
Seven Bridges: 53% yes, 47% no.
Houston Lake: 69% yes, 31% no.
Tiffany Springs: 69% yes, 31% no.
Platte Woods/Park Hill: 69% yes, 31% no.
Par 4/Walnut Creek/Parkville: 70% yes, 30% no.
Platte Hills/Hampton East: 63% yes, 37% no.
Lake Waukomis: 58% yes, 42% no.
Weatherby Lake: 62% yes, 38% no.
Embassy Park Clubhouse: 65% yes, 35% no.
Farley: 51% yes, 49% no.
Hampton West: 60% yes, 40% no.
Beverly/Tracy/Settles Station: 50.47% yes, 49.53% no.
New Market/Dearborn: 54% yes, 46% no.
Edgerton/Ridgely: 51% yes, 49% no.
Camden Point: 47% yes, 53% no.
Hoover/Shiloh: 51% yes, 49% no.
Ferrelview/Linkville: 59% yes, 41% no.
Barry East (Green Hills): 65% yes, 35% no.
Northern Heights (Platte Woods): 65% yes, 35% no.
Line Creek: 71% yes, 29% no.
Barry North (Coves): 65% yes, 35% no.
Park Hill North (Hwy. 9): 69% yes, 31% no.
Barry South (Coves): 68% yes, 32% no.
Absentee: 59% yes, 41% no.
EFFECTIVE DATE AND OTHER NOTES
And while the measure is effective Dec. 8, it will be a while longer after that before people can actually purchase marijuana from the dispensaries.
State officials have indicated the earliest that Missourians will be able to buy recreational marijuana is Feb. 6. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is in charge of overseeing the new industry and the process for licensing.
According to Amendment 3, smoking marijuana will be prohibited where smoking tobacco is prohibited. The penalty for smoking in public in an area that is not designated for smoking will result in a civil penalty and no more than a $100 fine. The infraction is a civil, not criminal, infraction.
Marijuana users will not be able to consume or possess marijuana on the grounds of any public or private schools or on the grounds of a correctional facility.
The amendment calls for automatic expungement for nonviolent marijuana charges. Expunging a record means that the court will seal a criminal charge so that it is no longer public. However, the record can still be unsealed with a court order, the Missouri Bar says.
Those persons with a nonviolent marijuana charge and not currently incarcerated–with the exception of those with charges for driving under the influence or selling marijuana to minors–will have their record expunged by the courts by June 8, 2023.
Cases are to be expunged in order of the severity of the case, with less severe cases being expunged first, according to backers of Amendment 3.
People who are in jail now on nonviolent marijuana charges will be able to petition to be released from jail or be removed from parole and probation, as well as have their record expunged.