Mississippi Legislature votes to legalize medical marijuana

The Mississippi Legislature voted Wednesday to legalize medical marijuana, one of the final steps in making cannabis available in the Magnolia State.

The Senate and House overwhelmingly passed an amended version of the bill, sending it to Gov. Tate Reeves’ desk. Reeves can either sign the bill, let it become law without signing it or veto it.

Although Reeves has veto authority, more than two-thirds of lawmakers in the House and Senate voted for the bill, the margin required to override a veto.

Reeves has not said what he plans to do.

Senators and representatives reached an agreement on a revised bill Tuesday. The final bill differs significantly from the ballot initiative voters approved in November 2020. The Mississippi Supreme Court in May struck down the initiative and the state’s ballot referendum process.

Notably, the amount of cannabis a person can purchase per month is significantly decreased from the 5 ounces voters approved. The Senate passed a bill allowing medical marijuana patients to purchase cannabis seven times a week, up to 3.5 ounces a month.

The House revised the bill, lowering the amount to 3 ounces a month and allowing six purchases a week.

State Sen. Kevin Blackwell, R-Southaven, and Rep. Lee Yancey, R-Brandon, who worked on the bill together, said they expect the medical marijuana program to be updated often in the coming years. [Read more at The Clarion Ledger]