Mississippi holds hearings on medical marijuana initiatives

People supporting and opposing two medical marijuana initiatives in Mississippi are getting the chance to speak at public hearings before the Nov. 3 election.

More than 100,000 registered voters petitioned to put Initiative 65 on the ballot. An alternative, Initiative 65A, was put there by legislators.

Sponsors of the original initiative say the alternative is intended to cause confusion and kill the original.

About two dozen people attended a public hearing Wednesday in Oxford, where supporters said marijuana is a low-risk, effective way to treat pain and opponents said it is an addictive substance that can lead to other problems, the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported.

It was first of five public hearings about the two medical marijuana initiatives.

Saltillo resident Cody Weaver, a veteran and business owner, spoke in favor of Initiative 65. He said marijuana can treat post-traumatic stress disorder, which could help thousands of veterans. He described Initiative 65 as a “carefully written, clearly defined” plan to allow treatment of pain.

“We have an opportunity this November to offer a hand to some of these veterans,” Weaver said.

State Board of Health member Jim Perry spoke in opposition, saying the constitutional amendment proposed by Initiative 65 is too broad and could have dire consequences. [Read more at NBC15]