Governor Tate Reeves (R) has vetoed both medical cannabis improvement bills passed by the Mississippi Legislature this session — even though both had veto-proof support in the House and Senate. Now, it’s up to lawmakers to stand with patients and override these vetoes.
Great news! This afternoon, the Mississippi Senate voted 47-5 to restore a medical cannabis law to the Magnolia State. Now, the bill heads to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to come up in committee as soon as next week.
More than a year after Mississippi voters overwhelmingly approved an initiative to legalize medical cannabis, the Magnolia State remains one of only 14 states with no effective medical cannabis law. Due to a technicality that overturned Initiative 65 (as well as the entire ballot initiative process), the patients of Mississippi continue to suffer needlessly.
A new poll by Starboard Communications found 72% of South Carolina voters support allowing medical cannabis and only 15% are opposed! But because South Carolina doesn’t have a citizens’ initiative process, the only way to translate that overwhelming support into law is for the state legislature to act.
We need your help to protect medical marijuana in Mississippi. Last year, Mississippi voters approved Initiative 65 by a huge margin to put the state on track to establish a compassionate medical marijuana program for patients with serious health conditions.
Last year, the Alabama Senate overwhelmingly approved the Compassion Act — which would have legalized medical cannabis — but it stalled in the House when the coronavirus derailed the legislative session. This year, Sen. Tim Melson, MD, has already filed the 2021 version of the bill, SB 46.