PUNISHING COLUMBIA IS A DOPEY PLAN

Columbia, Mo., voters eased their marijuana laws last November, making
arrests a low city priority and allowing the weed's use for medical
purposes. It's a liberal viewpoint, but the voters have spoken.

Now Sen. Charles Gross, a St. Charles Republican, says he will sponsor
legislation to deny K-12 schools throughout Missouri the ability to
play in sporting events or tournaments in Columbia. Business owners
say that would devastate hotels and restaurants.

The city shouldn't send a message of "Hey, come to Columbia, you can
bring your pot with you," Gross says.

That's not the message. Marijuana possession still is a state
crime.

Rep. Ed Robb, a Republican from Columbia, pooh-poohed the Gross plan
as coming from "the cave of the winds over on the Senate side."

If that means the legislation is packed with a lot of hot air,
Columbia can take heart that it will deflate.