State Representative Nick Schroer thinks Missouri has a problem.
“Right now, our state has a problem which is seen in every other state where marijuana has become legal in one form or the other,” Schroer told Greenway. “Currently, due to the scheduling of marijuana on the federal level, its legal status prevents users to own, possess, or purchase firearms. While the federal government’s selective enforcement of the prohibition on marijuana has not led to gun confiscations or a slew of federal charges for individuals purchasing firearms that use medical marijuana, it is still an issue in which the federal government has the right and ability to do. Therefore, protecting patient privacy, similar to HIPAA, as well as preserving your constitutional rights per the 2nd Amendment, state legislatures need to prevent the federal government from obtaining medical information or applicant information which would give them the necessary information to charge users with federal crimes or to take their legally owned guns.”
PHOTO/Tim Bommel – House Communications
For many Missourians, 2nd Amendment rights are non-negotiable and a barrier to getting a patient care card.
“In Missouri, I have sponsored legislation that would criminalize the sharing of information associated with cardholders or applicants with the federal government, which would keep legal users of medical marijuana safe, as well as their 2nd Amendment rights in our state. However, it must be stressed that our federal officials need to take action on rescheduling of this drug which is legal in over 30 states and has been noted to have medical properties in many states so that citizens of our great country won’t be faced with weighing their right to medical relief versus their 2nd Amendment rights.”
Schroer was voted by Greenway Magazine readers as the Best Industry Ally in the Legislature in 2019. Schroer has been elected as the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, working with many in the industry to voice concerns with rules and regulations. Most recently, as Vice Chairman of Government Oversight, he took part in investigations to bring to the surface any issues in the grading process for medical marijuana applications that many in our state are inquiring into.
“The people of this state deserve answers to the questions surrounding the licensing process to ensure licenses were given out in a fair and unbiased manner,” Schroer said. “Once this occurs, we must ensure licenses keep up with the pace of the increasing number of cardholders. If this is done properly, this industry hopefully thrives and helps generate revenue for our veterans while providing the legal, medical help Missourians have requested.”
“Learning from other states’ mistakes is key, so I do applaud many in this industry as well as leaders such as DHSS Director Lyndall Fraker for researching the pros and cons of regulating this industry in the way they have done to minimize issues in rolling out this new industry to the people of Missouri.”
Schroer believes medical marijuana is an empowering option for patients.
“Medical marijuana gives Missourians other options for finding relief for issues they are plagued with,” Schroer said. “In our state, the people of Missouri spoke up to vote in favor of allowing for the option to use this drug when working with their medical provider. Hearing stories from many Missourians that appeared in the General Laws Committee in Jefferson City it became apparent that the people of this state found relief with none of the side effects associated with legal pharmaceuticals. Taking a look into research and how this legal drug has impacted individuals in the other states it has been legalized in, it became clear that those that I represent, as well as the rest of the citizens in Missouri, should be given the liberty to use this legal drug if their medical professionals found it to be in their best interest.”
“In my generation, it appears as there is a new focus on personal liberty, as well as on many things that were ‘taboo’ decades ago,” Schroer said. “With more information out on medical marijuana and prescription pharmaceuticals, our state began focusing on the benefits of medical marijuana for those in our state; most notably our veterans! From 2017, committees I sat on handled legalization of marijuana, where I was outspoken in passing by the legislature so that a ballot initiative was not necessary and whereby state leaders could easily modify provisions thereof without the need to go back to the ballot.”
Schroer grew up in Ferguson, Missouri, and was the first member of his family to attend college. He attended Central Methodist University. Their family also has a farm nearby Fayette, where CMU is located. After an injury changed Schroer’s scholarship from a football to theater, he found his footing in criminal justice and went on to law school at Southern Illinois University School of Law. While in law school, he was elected president of the Law School Republicans and the Federalist Society before graduating and going on to practice law.
PHOTO/provided
“In college, I started paying attention to U.S. and world politics, more than in previous years,” Schroer said. “Finally, in my first year of law school, I started speaking up about issues important to me and my family, which lead to being elected as president of two conservative groups on campus. After graduation, where I began working as an attorney in Missouri and Illinois, I started focusing on state politics.
“While many years went by with politicians making baseless promises from state level to federal government, I began voicing my disdain with many issues via social media and in groups in St. Charles County,” Schroer said. “This lead to putting my name on the ballot in 2016, as I believed I could echo concerns of the people of Missouri and advocate for those living in House District 107 just as I advocate for my clients. Upon being elected, I have taken charge at representing the will and interests of the people in my district, as I firmly believe representing people, rather than merely party, is one of the most important aspects of our representative form of government and something which we need to return to in politics.”
Schroer lives with his wife and daughters in St. Charles County. Once privately practicing criminal and family law, he is now general counsel for Venture Group Investments, Inc., who does business in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas.
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