Advocates for making medical marijuana legal in Mississippi are working to educate people ahead of a referendum on the November ballot.
In November, Mississippians can decide if they want medical marijuana made available to people suffering with conditions like cancers and chronic pain. A coalition of 75 healthcare providers and organizations are gearing-up to promote the referendum called Medical Marijuana 2020. Dr. Rachel Knox of Oregon, a Cannibis Medical Specialist, is in Jackson to talk about the issue.
"One in two adults is sick with something and the burden of chronic prescription drug use is beginning to weigh on people. I think folks are fed up. Patients very commonly have laundry list of prescription drugs that come with unwanted side effects," said Knox.
The referendum would require doctors certify that a person is suffering with a debilitating medical condition. The state department of health would provide identification cards and regulate treatment centers where the products would be dispensed. Recently, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said the board of health doesn't support the initiative.
"The board of health is not intrinsically opposed to the concept of medicinal products derived from Cannabis but certainly anything that's going to be smoked and harmful to health is going to be something that the board of health is going to be opposed to," said Dobbs.
Democratic Representative Omeria Scott of Laurel, a breast cancer survivor, continues to author bills to make medical marijuana legal. But none have passed. She supports the initiative.
"The initiative will work the will of the citizens of the State of Mississippi and I do believe that this initiative is going to pass," said Scott.
More than 105,000 signatures were submitted to put the referendum on the November ballot.