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Antiquated constitutional provision dooms Mississippi marijuana law

The Mississippi Supreme Court has struck down a voter-approved ballot measure legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, citing an outdated provision in the state constitution that requires supporters of an initiative to collect signatures in a co

GOP leaders look to curtail ballot initiatives after red state voters opt for legal weed, expanded Medicaid

GOP leaders look to curtail ballot initiatives after red state voters opt for legal weed, expanded Medicaid Christopher Wilson Republican officials in Mississippi and Missouri have overturned ballot initiatives passed by voters in last year’s elections, a move Democrats are comparing to the refusal of some GOP leaders to accept the legitimacy of the presidential results. In November, nearly 60 percent of Mississippi voters said yes to Ballot Initiative 65, opting to establish a medical marijuana program through an amendment to the state constitution. In a country where the number of states legalizing weed for even recreational use continues to grow, the proposal would allow possession of up to 2.5 ounces of the drug for patients with a qualifying condition, including cancer, Parkinson s disease and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Slimantics: As of Friday, Mississippians are lesser citizens

Legislature to blame for Court killing initiative process

The Mississippi Supreme Court this week struck down the constitutional ballot initiative process in a 6-3 ruling, stating the process “cannot work in a world where Mississippi has fewer than five representatives in Congress.” Writing for the majority, Justice Josiah Coleman said, “To work in today’s reality, it will need amending – something that lies beyond the power of the Supreme Court.” That power lies first and foremost with the Mississippi Legislature, which for nearly 20 years has ignored the issue that led to the Supreme Court’s ruling. When the initiative process was created in 1992, Mississippi had five congressional districts. According to state law, for an initiative to be placed on the ballot, signatures must be gathered equally from all five congressional districts. Following the 2000 Census, the state lost a congressional district, dropping the number to four.

Medical marijuana decision deals blow to citizens' right to petition