Trudy Busch Valentine Supports Amendment Three and You Should Too

IMAGE SOURCE: North Dakota, South Dakota, AR, MD, MO all have marijuana on the ballot in 2022 (kfyrtv.com)

This year, midterms in Missouri are not just about WHO is on the ballot, but WHAT is on the ballot. Amendment three would make Missouri one of several states to allow recreational marijuana use as well as the purchasing, selling, manufacturing, and delivery of it.

When it comes between Busch Valentine and Schmitt, there is clearly one candidate who remains in support of this amendment and supports recreational marijuana use. Trudy Busch Valentine has been outspoken on her support of Amendment three even including it as one of the issues featured on her website.

IMAGE SOURCE: Missouri Marijuana Arrests - NORML

If Amendment three passes, it will increase funding in the state for veterans healthcare and drug and alcohol addiction programs. In 2021, 9,723 arrests were made in Missouri related to marijuana including the sale of and possession of marijuana. This creates a huge burden on the state financially and increases the number of arrests for nonviolent offenses exponentially.

Trudy Busch Valentine understands, like so many of us, that arrests for nonviolent offenses are a huge problem for the state both financially and culturally. She also understands the importance of compassion and rehabilitation in cases of addiction, rather than incarceration.

The increased funding for drug and alcohol abuse programs would be hugely beneficial for Missouri, and Busch Valentine knows this firsthand after having experienced the tragic death of her own son due to opioid addiction.

IMAGE SOURCE: Trudy Busch Valentine Campaign

Missouri Department of Health reports indicate that more than 379,000 Missourians struggle with a substance abuse disorder making it a major problem for the state. The increased funding for programs to combat this epidemic through the legalization of Marijuana, which has been proven as a nonaddictive substance, would be a major step in combating this problem.

We almost all know someone whether its a family member, friend, colleague, or neighbor who has struggled or continues to struggle with substance abuse, and increased funding for programs would allow them to get the help that they need. In my own family, I have seen multiple family members struggle with drug or alcohol related addiction, and without proper treatment access available to them many continue to struggle to this day. I would love to see a day where treatment would be a widely available option to them and so many others. Amendment three is the solution to create increased access to these programs and allow them to get the crucial help they need for this terrible disease.

Rather than stigmatize addiction, it's time we start addressing it for the disease that it is and provide help to some of our most vulnerable. It is time to put leaders into office who understand the complexities around addiction like Trudy Busch Valentine and pass amendment three.

For more information on treatment sources click here and be sure to vote Trudy Busch Valentine on Nov 8. She is the candidate Missouri needs.