In the wake of Missouri’s constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana in 2022, and the beginning of recreational marijuana sales this month, local cities are taking action …
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In the wake of Missouri’s constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana in 2022, and the beginning of recreational marijuana sales this month, local cities are taking action to clarify their stances on public usage of marijuana products.
The Warrenton Board of Aldermen voted 5-0 on Feb. 7 to uphold an existing ban on public marijuana use and bring other city ordinances in line with the 2022 amendment. The new ordinance replaces city laws that were invalidated by the amendment.
“It’s mirroring state statute according to the amendment and guidelines passed by the voters,” noted Mayor Eric Schleuter.
Missouri’s 2022 amendment states that public usage of marijuana is banned by default, but that local governments can choose to fully or partially lift that ban. Warrenton’s new ordinance makes it explicitly clear that the city will not lift that ban, and also intends to enforce penalties on other marijuana-related offenses according to the 2022 amendment.
The ban on public usage applies to any form of marijuana, regardless of how it is ingested. It applies on any property that is generally considered to be open to the public, including businesses or clubs that have restricted admittance.
Usage of recreational marijuana is also prohibited “in all places of employment within the city of Warrenton.”
However, the usage ban does not apply to any premises that are considered to be part of a residence. While this of course includes private homes, the ordinance states that temporary residences, such as hotel rooms, are also excluded from the usage ban.
The public usage ban also doesn’t apply to licensed medical marijuana users who are using product in a place that is licensed by the state health department for such activity.
The fine for public marijuana usage is up to $100.
Other sections of Warrenton’s new marijuana ordinance establish fines for possessing more than the legal limit of marijuana, as well as selling the drug to most people under 21 years old. Cities are allowed to establish fines for those offenses under the recreational marijuana amendment.
Anyone who doesn’t have a medical marijuana license, but is found to possess more than the legal limit of 3 ounces outside their home, will be fined up to $250 for the first offense and up to $500 for any subsequent offense. Those who possess more than 6 ounces can be subjected to jail time along with a financial penalty.
The ordinance prohibits possession of marijuana by people under 21 years old, unless they have a valid medical marijuana license.
Businesses are also banned from selling marijuana to anyone under age 21 who does not present a valid medical marijuana license. Penalties for this offense fall under the same $250 to $500 ranges as the possession limit offenses above.
