COTTLEVILLE FAVORS MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA

Cottlevile officials want state legislators to reintroduce and approve
a bill that would legalize marijuana usage for medicinal purposes.

The Board of Aldermen on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution
supporting the medical use of marijuana.

"Due to the controversial nature of the resolution, I telephoned
members of the board (before the meeting)," said Mayor Don Yarber, who
sponsored and signed the resolution. "They all were in enthusiastic
support of it."

House Bill 277 was introduced in March. House Speaker Ron Richard,
R-129th District, of Joplin, blocked the bill by preventing it from
being assigned to committee for consideration.

Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-19th District, said Friday the bill didn't go
through because legislators thought it wasn't in the best interest of
state residents.

Davis, of O'Fallon, said, "I'm just shocked that Cottleville would
take such a stance. I have trouble understanding any elected official
wanting to go on record as wanting to legalize marijuana."

Davis said marijuana is a gateway drug and to say it could be used for
medical purposes only would be "drawing a very fine line."

"I would expect this from Columbia, it's like a miniature California,"
Davis said. "There's got to be something there with college towns."

The board is looking to send copies of the resolution to other St.
Charles County cities and county officials.

County spokesman John Sonderegger said Friday the county had not
received a copy of the resolution or wasn't even aware of it.

"Until we get that letter we cannot comment," Sonderegger
said.

At least one alderman said he doubts the resolution will have an
impact.

"Unless there is some kind of groundswell of support from the
municipalities, they (legislators) might not consider it," said
Alderman Don Buchheit, Ward 2.

Yarber said personal experience and a column by Journal reporter Steve
Pokin spurred him to introduce the resolution.

"My wife Sylvia had breast cancer 13 years ago, and it (marijuana)
helped her with nausea and her appetite," Yarber said. When later
asked to elaborate, Yarber said he wouldn't because it was too personal.

Pokin's June 7 column told the story of Kenneth Wells, 54, of
unincorporated St. Charles County. Wells said he grew cannabis plants
in his basement for medical reasons that include epilepsy and other
neurologic problems stemming from a 1983 stroke.

Wells, who attended Thursday's meeting, said firefighters discovered
27 marijuana plants, equalling 1.4 pounds, while responding to a fire
at his house on Jan. 16, 2008. Wells said he is takes medications to
control his seizures but used marijuana to relieve side effects from
the medications.

Wells said county Prosecuting Attorney Jack Banas charged him with
possession, a Class B felony. His trial is scheduled for Sept. 1. If
convicted, he faces five to 15 years in prison.

"Here's a man who can go to any drug store and get all kinds of
addictive drugs," Yarber said. "He couldn't get something that has
helped ease his suffering?"

Wells's attorney, Wayne Schoeneberg, and Mark Pedersen, founder of the
Cannabis Patient Network, also attended the board meeting.

"The fact that a local municipality would consider it (passing a
resolution) or even talking about it makes me feel good," Wells said.