There are now more than 20 states with medical marijuana laws on the books, but even in those states where it is legal, there are still many obstacles to getting safe access.
The how to get a medical mj card in ms is a question that has been asked for a while. It’s time for lawmakers and the governor to make a decision on whether or not they want to legalize medical marijuana.
The summer’s narrative has been that House and Senate negotiators are getting closer, closer — even very, very close — to reaching an agreement on a medical marijuana program, which Gov. Tate Reeves may call a special session to approve.
But, as summer fades into autumn, those largely behind the doors talks continue, with little information on the specifics or sticking points, and… no agreement or special session.
As time passes, the chances of a special session before the normal legislative session in January grow less probable. Passage of a medical marijuana program during a crowded regular session is much more difficult, if not impossible. Even present talks are jeopardized as time passes — new cooks join the kitchen, details fall apart, and the center can no longer hold.
It seems like legislators and Gov. Tate Reeves are ready to fish or cut bait on a medicinal marijuana program to replace the one that was approved by voters but overturned by the state Supreme Court.
Reeves and legislative leaders have stated they want to respect the will of the people on this issue, so if negotiators are really close on broad strokes, they may be called in and allowed to haggle. Reeves may take the lead on the subject, assist negotiate a compromise, or persuade legislators to approve a program. He has only said publicly that he supports the decision of the people and that if legislators inform him they have reached an agreement on specifics, he would convene a special session.
Reeves, who has sole power to call a special session, may attempt to start the process or just sit back and point to the Legislature, saying he can’t help it if legislators can’t get their act together.
Special sessions may offer intense concentration on a particular subject, and they often enable the clumsy-by-design Legislature to bunker down and enact bills that would otherwise be impossible to pass amid the normal political churn. A special session, particularly one held during or around football season, deer season, or the holidays, puts pressure on legislators to complete tasks before returning home. Furthermore, the expenses of a special session to taxpayers mount up fast, costing tens of thousands of dollars each day, increasing the pressure to get things done quickly.
Governors have utilized their extraordinary session powers, as well as this pressure, to compel hesitant legislatures to pass legislation. It’s one of the few legislative authorities they have.
Despite popular outrage, the Mississippi Legislature has been unable to approve a bill that would allow the state to join dozens of others in legalizing medicinal marijuana for years. That’s why citizens took things into their own hands and legalized it last year, only for the state Supreme Court to overturn it on what many saw as a technicality.
One significant eleventh-hour issue has already arisen during the lengthy discussions on medicinal marijuana: Andy Gipson, the state’s agriculture commissioner, has said that he would not be involved in the program’s supervision. He’s now threatening to sue if legislators approve legislation that puts him in control of marijuana production and processing (despite this having been discussed for months). This has most certainly caused the “extremely close” talks to be postponed.
The state’s medical marijuana program would have started in July under Initiative 65, which was approved by voters in November, and permits would have been issued to individuals with qualifying conditions to begin taking the medication by Aug. 15.
This may help some very sick individuals. This problem drew the attention of voters. State officials have promised to speak out for themselves, and to do it in a timely manner. The clock has been ticking for quite some time. It’s now or never.
The Mississippi medical marijuanas dispensary is a time for lawmakers and governor to fish or cut bait on the issue of medical marijuana. Reference: mississippi medical marijuanas dispensary.
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