What happened
During November’s elections, 74.1% of Mississippi voters said yes to medical marijuana reform, which would make cannabis legal for people suffering from specific conditions.
At the time, voters were choosing from two medical cannabis bills – Initiative 65 and Initiative 65A. Initiative 65, which was put on the ballot by advocates and considered more patient-oriented was approved.
Just prior to the vote, Mississippi officials sought to disqualify the state’s cannabis reform measure, claiming it was unlawfully placed on the ballot.
It turns out that the Mississippi law demands that “signatures of the qualified electors from any congressional district shall not exceed one-fifth (1/5) of the total number of signatures required to qualify an initiative petition for placement upon the ballot.”
Mississippi justices toss voter-backed marijuana initiative
by Emily Wagster Pettus, The Associated Press
Posted May 14, 2021 2:51 pm EDT
Last Updated May 14, 2021 at 2:58 pm EDT
Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Randolph, center, questions attorney Justin Matheny of the Mississippi attorney general’s office, during arguments over a lawsuit that challenges the state s initiative process and seeks to overturn a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved in November, Wednesday, April 14, 2021 in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) The Mississippi Supreme Court on Friday overturned a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved last fall.
Six justices ruled that the medical marijuana initiative is void because the state’s initiative process is outdated. Three justices dissented.
Mississippi justices toss voter-backed marijuana initiative
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Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Randolph, center, questions attorney Justin Matheny of the Mississippi attorney general s office, during arguments over a lawsuit that challenges the state s initiative process and seeks to overturn a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved in November, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – The Mississippi Supreme Court on Friday overturned a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved last fall.
Six justices ruled that the medical marijuana initiative is void because the state’s initiative process is outdated. Three justices dissented.
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Mississippi will remain in the minority of states without a medical marijuana program after the state Supreme Court on Friday overturned an initiative that voters approved last fall a decision that also limits other citizen-led efforts to put issues on the statewide ballot.
At the heart of the ruling is the fact that initiatives need signatures from five congressional districts to get on the ballot, but because of Mississippi’s stagnant population, the state only has four districts.
Six justices ruled that the medical marijuana initiative is void because the state s initiative process is outdated. Three justices dissented.