City Of St. Louis: Statement From Mayor Jones Regarding The Final Passage Of Board Bill 132

Press release from the City of St. Louis:

November 23, 2021

Board Bill 132 passed today at the Board of Aldermen

Below is a statement from Mayor Jones regarding the final passage of Board Bill 132 out of the Board of Aldermen today:

"Board Bill 132, passed today at the Board of Aldermen, would repeal outdated marijuana laws, stop marijuana from being used as the sole basis to establish probable cause for search or arrest, and authorize critical changes to City personnel drug policies.

"Let me be clear: Incarcerating people for marijuana-related, low-level offenses does not make our neighborhoods safer. Needless contact with the prison system harms families and communities across our city. In the past 3 years, 591 people were arrested for marijuana-related charges - of those individuals, 488 were Black. Board Bill 132 brings our laws in line with the state constitution's while repealing unjust and discriminatory policies.

"My office collaborated with Board members to draft this legislation, and I appreciate the work of its numerous cosponsors - especially Alderman Bret Narayan - to get it passed and across the finish line. I look forward to signing this critical bill when it reaches my desk."

This press release was produced by the City of St. Louis. The views expressed here are the author’s own.