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Mississippi just became the 37th state to legalize medical marijuana.
The law went into effect Wednesday after Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed the bill. In November 2020, a majority of Mississippi voters approved a medical marijuana initiative. It will allow people to buy up to 5 ounces per month.
Six months later, the state Supreme Court invalidated the initiative, saying the initiative’s procedures were outdated and the measure was not properly placed on the ballot.
In a statement on social media, Reeves said, “There is no doubt that some people in our state would have access to medical prescription dose of marijuana. “
“There are also people who really want a recreational marijuana program, which could lead to more people smoking and fewer people working, with all the social and family ills that come with it,” he added.
The Republican-controlled state Senate and House of Representatives passed the final version of the 2095 Senate bill last week. Patients are now allowed to purchase about 3 ounces of marijuana per month. This is 2 ounces less than the original law allows. “Because of this improvement, there will be hundreds of millions of fewer joints on the street,” Reeves said.
Reeves expressed concern about the original purchase limits approved by voters. “I’ve made it clear that I’m not going to write the bills on my desk,” Reeves said. “But in fact, the lawmakers who drafted the final version of the bill (Draft 45 or 46) made significant improvements to move us closer to achieving our ultimate goal.”
Cities and counties have 90 days to opt out of medical marijuana facilities growing or distributing marijuana. People in these communities can apply for elections to veto opt-out.
Pharmacies may be licensed within the next 6 months.
“Now, hopefully, we can put this issue behind us and move on to other pressing issues facing our state,” Reeves said.
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