Today, Gov. Tate Reeves signed a bill that will establish a medical marijuana program in Mississippi. In a landmark decision, State Legislators passed The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act with 90% approval last week— more than any other state’s Legislature. This goes to show how much work went into the bill from Sen. Kevin Blackwell and Rep. Lee Yancey.
Last May, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled against the state’s ballot initiative process, killing the medical marijuana program 74% of Mississippians voted to pass in November 2020. Over the course of the next several months, both the House and Senate worked to create a bill that reflects key features of Initiative 65, including broad access for patients, decision rights for certifying healthcare providers, a free market and sustainable revenue models and reasonable regulations.
“This bill is the product of all Mississippians coming together.,” said Ken Newburger, Executive Director for the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association, known as 3MA. “The Legislature has been with us through this entire process to make sure Mississippi patients have a medical marijuana program that is both safe and effective. Mississippi is fortunate to have representatives and senators who respect and honor the will of its voters.”
Now that the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act has passed, the Mississippi State Health Department will begin setting up the new program.
“I am thrilled that the Legislature did the right thing and made a way for thousands of suffering patients to have access to medical marijuana,” said Dr. Matthew Wesson, M.D. “This is going to be life-changing for so many individuals and families across our great state.”
“As a potentially qualified patient, I’m very proud that our elected officials have come together for the betterment of patients across the state of Mississippi, which I’m proud to call my home,” said Cody Weaver, a United States Navy veteran. “It’s hard to put into words how thankful I am that disabled veterans, like myself, will now have access to medical marijuana to help provide them with the highest quality of life possible for their existing conditions.”
The Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association represents the interests of the diverse group of business licenses in Mississippi’s medical marijuana industry. To learn more about 3MA, visit medicalmarijuanams.com or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
