KM-HQ; November 6, 2020
Mississippi voters also backed an initiative legalizing cannabis for medical use. Voters approved the citizen-led Initiative 65 by a 74% majority that will allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana for 22 debilitating conditions.
The initiative allows patients with debilitating medical issues to legally obtain marijuana after getting a doctor’s recommendation. It includes 22 qualifying conditions such as cancer, chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, and patients would be allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana per 14-day period.
It also requires a medical cannabis program be in place throughout the state by August 2021.
The important thing we think Mississippians need to know and keep in their minds is that the State Medical Association and American Medical Association both circulated a "sample ballot" that instructed voters on how to reject Initiative 65.
You see, just last month, Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed legislation that amended state law to allow people to obtain marijuana-derived medications that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. An example of this would be Marinol. Governor Reeves also reiterated his opposition to broader medical cannabis reform, stating that he’s “against efforts to make marijuana mainstream.” Former Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove however, weighed in on the legalization saying it’s a step in the right direction and shows that his state is finally being what he calls “progressive.”
Mississippi Department of Health will be responsible for developing regulations for the program by July 1, 2021. Medical cannabis patient cards will need to be issued by August 15, 2021. According to their public post: "Regulations for all aspects of the program, including production and licensing for sale, must be in place by July 1, 2021. As we make progress we will keep the public fully informed, and ask for your patience as we develop the necessary plans to go forward late next summer."
The measure, principally adding more restrictive alternative measures that the legislature placed on the ballot and the resulting two-step question voters faced. The first question, Measure 1A which asked if they wanted to legalize MMJ., got 68% approval, and the second, provided a business-friendly industry framework that has no limit on the number of licenses., got a whopping 74% of the vote from those who backed 1A. A month later clinics can start applying for medicinal marijuana licenses and growing the pot. Within 4 to 6 months it could be ready for patients, which would be added to their real-time statewide data center that’s registered with the department of health upon their application submission.
Interestingly, Mississippian voters and pro-cannabis activists faced some rather interesting challenges ahead of the election. In June for example, lawmakers introduced a medical cannabis alternative resolution that would’ve posed an additional threat to the activist-driven reform initiative. But the legislation didn’t advance before they adjourned for the summer.
The legislature’s proposal included a ban on smoking medical cannabis for patients who are not terminally ill and said that medical marijuana products must be of “suitable pharmaceutical quality,” though that was undefined.
Thank you for your interest and support, stay tuned for future updates!
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