Mississippi Supreme Court Bans Ballot Initiatives While Nixing Medical Marijuana Newsweek 3 hrs ago Aila Slisco © 24K-Production/Getty Mississippi’s Supreme Court invalidated a voter-approved initiative that would have legalized medical marijuana on Friday. This undated file photo shows a hand striking a gavel with marijuana flowers and hemp seeds nearby.
Mississippi s Supreme Court on Friday blocked voters from using ballot initiatives on a technicality while striking down a voter-approved initiative that would have legalized medical marijuana.
In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that because the state constitution mandates that ballot initiative petitioners must collect signatures from voters in five Mississippi congressional districts, while the state has only had four districts following the 2000 census, no ballot initiatives since 2000 are legally valid.
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By Geoff Pender
Apr 14, 2021 3:28 PM
The medical marijuana program Mississippi voters approved in November, set to begin in August, hangs in the balance with the state Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments about Initiative 65 on Wednesday.
The arguments have nothing to do with medical marijuana or the program voters enshrined in the state constitution, but on procedural issues whether Initiative 65’s placement on the ballot through a signature petition was constitutionally proper.
Chief Justice Michael Randolph indicated the nine-judge court would issue an opinion as quickly as possible and, “I know many people are waiting on this.”
“It’s in the judges’ hands now,” said Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler, who filed a Supreme Court challenge to Initiative 65 just days before voters approved it on Nov. 3. “This is one of those defining moments for our state. Maybe we can take care of other antiquated laws that are hindering our progress and our growth.
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JACKSON ⢠In a ruling that weakens legislative powers, the Mississippi Supreme Court upheld Gov. Tate Reevesâ partial veto of legislation earlier this year providing funds to multiple entities to combat COVID-19.
âThe governor is obviously very pleased that the court interpreted the Constitution the way it was written,â Reevesâ spokesperson Bailey Martin said of the ruling in the lawsuit that pitted the Republican leadership of the House against the Republican governor. âThis will be an impactful decision â protecting taxpayer dollars â for a long, long time.â
Six of the nine justices, with Chief Justice Michael Randolph writing the majority opinion, on Thursday reversed an earlier Supreme Court ruling that gave individual legislators the authority to file lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of partial vetoes. The justices went on to say that Reevesâ partial veto that he issued earlier this year was proper.
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