Is the Mississippi Legislature playing a shell game with medical marijuana?

Mississippians for Compassionate Care gathered more than 228,000 signatures to place a medical marijuana initiative on the ballot for this November’s election.

Up until that point, the Mississippi legislature sat on their hands regarding medical marijuana although 34 states allow its use for myriad medical conditions.

Former Gov. Phil Bryant had led the opposition for any form of marijuana legalization.

Suddenly, after Initiative 65 gained enough traction to be a ballot reality, this past March legislators created a competing initiative that many believe to be an effort to confuse voters and dilute the possible expansion of medical marijuana into Mississippi.

Initiative 65 allows doctors to write prescriptions for up to 22 illnesses including cancer, chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, among others. Patients would be able to acquire up to 2.5 ounces every 14 days.

The competing version would not allow any type of smokable cannabis for patients who are not terminally ill. It also says “the product must be of pharmaceutical quality” without defining how that would be determined.

As it is becoming apparent that the movement to legalize medical marijuana has significant momentum, this week the Senate rules committee drafted a bill that could go to the full legislature next week. The bill is titled “An Act to Establish a Program to Allow the Medical Use of Marijuana by Qualified Persons with Debilitating Medical Conditions.”

Reportedly, the bill will outline how the state would manage medical marijuana under the competing, more restrictive version of the initiative,should that version carry the day.

It remains to be seen how the full state Senate and then the House of Representatives address the issue but expect to see media campaigns from both sides as we move toward the general election.

Mississippians for Compassionate Care is well funded and has done its research. Couple that with the backing of some who feel the legalization for medical use is long overdue, and it should prove to be a hot topic as the November election date draws closer.