MARIJUANA ERADICAT9ION EFFORTS SHOULD CONTINUE

Missouri is an agricultural state, but one highly profitable cash crop is unwelcome. State legislators are considering a measure that will reinforce efforts to eradicate in-state marijuana cultivation. It's a necessary step and the General Assembly should not overlook it in the rush to complete other pressing business.

State Rep. Joe Driskill of Doniphan is spearheading the effort to keep Missouri eligible to receive more than $2 million in federal funds for the eradication project. In its fight against drugs, the federal government has allocated money to states for their participation. For the last three years, National Guard members have been employed to make helicopter runs searching for marijuana plots. Their work has been a success; last year, 505,000 marijuana plants were destroyed by lawmen, an eradication total that led the nation.

While this message is being sent, Missouri, with its favorable growing climate and large areas of forest land, remains fertile ground for pot farmers. The federal allocation allows the fight against drugs to be brought closer to home. It is money well spent.

The legislation involved is technical in nature, meeting Pentagon guidelines for lawmakers to authorize the governor to use National Guard units in this way. Still, action must be taken or the money and the good it will do will be lost to Missouri.

In the district Driskill represents, in the near Ozarks, the problem of marijuana cultivation is especially acute. The lawmaker would like to see this cash crop curtailed. The legislature should act to take a step in that direction.