Updates

State lawmakers place competing medical marijuana initiative on the 2020 ballot

Last update: April 23, 2020

After submitting well over the number of required voter signatures, Mississippians for Compassionate Care succeeded in qualifying a responsible and compassionate medical marijuana measure, Initiative 65, for the 2020 ballot.



The initiative would amend the state constitution and permit patients diagnosed with serious health conditions to possess and access medical marijuana with the approval of their doctors.



In March, through a process permitted by the state’s constitution, the Mississippi Legislature approved a competing medical marijuana ballot initiative, Initiative 65A, which would grant state lawmakers more control over key regulations. Both initiatives will appear before voters in November. Mississippians for Compassionate Care opposed the legislature’s move, arguing it is an attempt to confuse voters and prevent a simple up-or-down vote on medical marijuana.



To get more information about the medical marijuana campaign and support the effort, please visit www.medicalmarijuana2020.com and follow them on Facebook!



It’s time for patients suffering in Mississippi to have safe and legal access to medical marijuana. Click here to sign up for Mississippi-specific email updates from MPP.

Did you know Mississippi is a “decrim” state?

Mississippi is one of the 26 states that have decriminalized — or, in 11 cases, legalized — personal-use marijuana possession. First offense possession of 30 grams (a little more than an ounce) is punishable by a $250 fine instead of jail time and a civil summons as opposed to arrest, as long as the offender provides proof of identity and a written promise to appear in court.



Unfortunately, data indicates that Mississippi’s marijuana laws are not being evenly enforced. A recent study by the American Civil Liberties Union found that although blacks and whites use marijuana at nearly identical rates, blacks in Mississippi are 2.7 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana possession.



Please write your state legislators to ask them to end marijuana prohibition in Mississippi and replace it with a taxed and regulated system, as Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington have all done.

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