“Marijuana access is long overdue for Mississippi’s patients,” NORML’s State Policies Manager Jax James said. “The overwhelming majority of voters decided in favor of this policy change over a year ago, and for the past 14 months the will of the people has been denied.”
State lawmakers have rejected a series of legislative proposals that sought to curtail how and where patients could access and use medical cannabis.
NORML has long opined that patients must have access to cannabis flowers, stating: “Orally administered non-herbal forms of cannabis possess delayed onset and their effects are far less predictable than those of herbal cannabis.
The bill now goes to the desk of Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, who has repeatedly threatened to veto the measure. However, the Act has ample support from lawmakers to override a veto.
“A patient’s treatment options should not be limited by the government, but rather should be determined in confidence between a patient and their doctor. Doctors should be fully empowered to decide what treatment options are best — free from political interference.”
Despite the Governor’s threat to veto, Mississippi lawmakers have advanced the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, which legalizes medical marijuana access in the Magnolia State.
Only 23 medical cannabis facilities are currently operating in the state. Under the state’s medical marijuana law, patients are not permitted to home-cultivate cannabis.
Under the plan, patients in the state’s medical access program will be able to purchase marijuana-infused gummies or other similar chewable products beginning on August 1, 2020.