COTTLEVILLE ASKS VOTERS ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Question on City's Ballot Focuses on State Legislation

Marijuana will still be illegal in Cottleville after the April 6
election, even if the city's voters approve two nonbinding
propositions supporting legalizing the drug for medical purposes.

Proposition C asks voters if they support Missouri House Bill 1670,
which would legalize medical marijuana. If passed by the Legislature,
the House bill would trigger a statewide vote in November 2011.

Proposition V on the Cottleville ballot asks voters if they want the
Legislature to put the provisions of HB1670 on the state's Nov. 2,
2010, ballot.

The bill is not likely to come to a vote this session, said Kristen
Blanchard, spokeswoman for House Speaker Ron Richards, R-129th
District. Blanchard said legislators are more concerned with budget
matters than considering the question of legalizing medical marijuana.

"Medical marijuana - simply stated, it is not our focus right now," she said.

The issue will come to a vote in Cottleville due to the efforts of
Mayor Don Yarber, a vocal advocate for legalizing medical marijuana.

"People either like the idea or not," Yarber said. "They are going
to vote yes or no, but at least they will have the opportunity to
cast a vote. I'm giving them the opportunity to express themselves. I
wish our elected representatives in Jefferson City would do the same."

Yarber said representatives from 'surrounding cities" and cities in
the Kansas City area asked for copies of Cottleville's resolutions,
but he would not identify the cities. Yarber said he believed their
inquiries indicated they are interested in exploring similar legislation.

"Everyone I've talked to has been in favor of this," Yarber said.
"I've not received any negative e-mails. All the feedback has been positive."

Yarber's wife used marijuana to relieve side effects from
chemotherapy treatment while she was fighting breast cancer in 1993.
Sylvia Yarber said the marijuana helped restore her appetite and
eliminate nausea. She said she has not used the drug in the 16 years
since completing her treatment.

St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Jack Banas said the
Cottleville propositions would not change state law, which prohibits
medical marijuana, nor would it stop him from enforcing state law
throughout the county.

Cottleville Police Chief Scott Lewis said he would continue enforcing
state law within the city, regardless of what happens April 6. The
propositions are for information only and would have no legal impact, he said.