Mississippians want medical marijuana. They said so at the polls last November when 74% of them voted for Amendment 65, the medical marijuana initiative that had jumped through all the procedural hoops to make it onto the ballot. They also said they wanted that specific language, rejecting a watered-down Alternate Amendment 65A sponsored by the Republican-dominated state legislature in a bid to seize control over the issue.
The Mississippi Supreme Court. It just threw out a voter-approved medical marijuana initiative. (mississippi.org)But before the voters had spoken, long-time Republican Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler filed suit to have the initiative thrown out on what can fairly be described as a technicality, and last Friday, the state Supreme Court, consisting of five justices appointed by Republican governors and four selected in nonpartisan elections, agreed, overturning the clear will of the voters because the legislature has failed to act for two decades on a constitutio
JACKSON ⢠While Mississippi voters overwhelmingly endorsed a specific medical marijuana legalization plan in November, the state might ultimately create a program that looks drastically different.
Thatâs because the Mississippi Supreme Court could invalidate Initiative 65 in the coming months. The possibility has led the Legislature to push a replacement pot program that deviates significantly from the constitutional amendment voters wanted.
Marijuana experts and industry players told the Daily Journal they have several technical concerns about the legislative proposal, Senate Bill 2765, from excessive licensing fees for growers and dispensaries to limited patient access.
But their central frustration is that the legislation simply does not mirror what was on the ballot, which they argue is the only fair resolution for Mississippians if the initiative is killed in court.
Supporters of Initiative 65 are upset over a Senate bill designed to protect medical marijuana in case the initiative is ruled unconstitutional by the Mississippi Supreme Court.