Mississippi judge predicts state will legalize marijuana

PHILADELPHIA -- Longtime Circuit Judge Marcus Gordon told the crowd at the Neshoba County Fair Wednesday that he predicts marijuana will be legalized in Mississippi within the next decade.

Gordon, who is facing a challenge this year from attorney Don Kilgore, was critical of the state's new corrections and criminal justice reforms law.

Gordon said House Bill 585 will weaken drug sentences. Before Gordon spoke, fellow Circuit Judge Vernon Cotten, who served on the task force that came up with many of the changes in House Bill 454, praised the law.

Cotten said he believes House Bill 585 will bring a new era in dealing with problems in the criminal justice system.

"It will get us away from the archaic system of lock them up and throw away the key mentality," Cotten said. "No, it's not perfect, but it will move us away from just locking them up."

Cotten said too many non-violent offenders are being sent to prison every month. He said many of those are mentally ill, homeless or in poor health.

The corrections and criminal justice reforms legislation that took effect July 1 will allow judges like him to be more creative in sentencing to allow sentence to fit the crime.

During the fair today, state Sen. Giles Ward, R-Louisville, announced he won't seek re-election. Ward said he wants to spend more time with his family, including four grandchildren.

Contact Jimmie E. Gates at jgates@jackson.gannett.com or (601) 961-7212. Follow @jgatesnews on Twitter.