Initiative 65 would allow Mississippians with one of 22 debilitating conditions such as cancer, seizures and multiple sclerosis obtain a prescription from a doctor to use medical marijuana. Jamie Grantham is with Medical Marijuana 2020, the organization spearheading the effort.
“The Mississippi Department of Health will regulate the process by which medical marijuana is grown, processed and made available, to ensure access for qualified patients from licensed treatment centers, which will be the only places medical marijuana is available in Mississippi,” said Grantham.
Grantham says Initiative 65 would require patients have an I.D. card. She says they’d be able to buy up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana for a 14 day period. Grantham adds the products would be available in a range of forms, including creams, tincher drops or to smoke. Jim Perry, a member of the state Board of Health says Initiative 65 would become a part of the state constitution, which is the wrong way to pursue this issue.
“Initiative 65 gives special constitutional protections to the marijuana industry. Any changes to any aspects of this program would require another statewide vote,” said Perry.
Perry wants marijuana researched, tested and approved by the Federal Drug Administration when used for medicinal purposes. Advocate Angie Calhoun says her 19-year old son now lives in a state where medical marijuana is legal. She says he suffered from seizures and extreme weight loss due to chronic nausea.
“Austin was eventually able to stop taking all 17 prescriptions and gain the majority of his weight back. His body could now keep food down and receive the nutrition it needed, which allowed his strength to return,” said Calhoun.
An Alternative Initiative 65A passed by the legislature is also on the November ballot. It doesn’t list rules or regulations for medical marijuana usage. Critics say it’s designed to confuse voters. An explanation of both initiatives can be found on the non-profit Ballotpedia website.
