K2 Alternatives Ban Awaits Governor's Signature

House Bill 641, sponsored by Representative Ward Franz (R-West Plains) was Truly Agreed and Finally Passed Tuesday, May 10, 2011. HB 641 adds all synthetic cannabinoids (K2 alternatives) as well as synthetic cocaine that are being sold as bath salts, to the list of Schedule I controlled substances and make possession of it a class C felony. “I am proud that Missouri continues to be a leader in the fight to protect our children from the harms of these dangerous drugs,” said Representative Franz. “This legislation has sparked a nation-wide investigation by legislatures and law enforcement agencies into the best methods to stop the plague of synthetic drugs. The public has made it clear that they want this issue addressed.” HB 641 is the direct result of the need to close an unintended loophole in last year’s ban on K2, HB 1472. In the wake of the passage of HB 1472, which only banned a specific version of the synthetic cannabinoids, dozens of new versions sprang onto the shelves. All these newly created synthetic cannabinoids as well as the newest synthetic substance called bath salts, which are actually synthetic cocaine, have recently caused great concern among law enforcement because of their popularity among youth because they are known as a “legal high.” “Those manufacturing and selling these substances know that it is not only harmful, but that they are also purposely designed to skirt the law,” said Rep. Franz. “It is frustrating when individuals continue to make and sell this stuff just to make a profit.” Now that HB 641 has received final approval it heads to the governor for his signature. All synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cocaine will become illegal on August 28, 2011—provided no veto.

House votes to restrict funeral protest in wake of Supreme Court ruling

One day after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled funeral protests are protected free speech, Missouri's House voted to restrict protesting. Nearly 90 percent of representatives voted to make it a crime to protest within 500 feet of funeral ceremonies. Another of the bill's restrictions prohibits protesters from picketing two hours before and after funerals. If passed, it would be a crime in Missouri to violate these restrictions. Rep. Jeanette Oxford, D-St. Louis, was one of the few to vote against the measure and criticized her colleagues for voting for the bill. "If we'll go back to our districts and we'll work with our constituents to help them understand that what we're doing here is protecting the Constitution when we vote no, our constituents are grown-ups and they'll understand that," she said. Oxford urged her fellow lawmakers to protect free speech, even if it is unpopular. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Ward Franz, R-West Plains, said the bill would protect grieving families. "It's a simple idea to allow families to mourn the loss of a loved one in peace and to give them a chance to have some closure in a very difficult time," Franz said to overwhelming approval from the House. The high court ruled against a group who said funeral protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka inflicted emotional pain on them. Just two years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a similar Missouri law restricting funeral protesting. Rep. Mike Colona, D-St. Louis, said the U.S. Supreme Court ruling has very little to do with this bill. "That case yesterday dealt with a civil lawsuit where an individual was suing the Westboro Baptist Church not for breaking a law, but for intentional infliction of emotional distress," Colona said. The bill will go to the Senate next.