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.
State statute governing election appeals being challenged on constitutional grounds (Source: Pexels) By Anthony Warren | January 18, 2021 at 12:02 PM CST - Updated January 18 at 1:17 PM
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A former Hinds County supervisor’s efforts to overturn the 2019 Democratic primary results on the grounds of residency could lead to a state election law being changed.
Darrel McQuirter is challenging District Two Supervisor David Archie in court, saying Archie shouldn’t have been able to run for supervisor based on residency requirements.
He is currently seeking a rehearing in his case before the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Sam Begley, an attorney for McQuirter, has notified the state attorney general that he is challenging the constitutionality of a state code governing election appeals.
McQuirter seeking rehearing in residency case Gavel on sounding block (Source: Gray News) By Anthony Warren | January 1, 2021 at 10:39 PM CST - Updated January 1 at 10:49 PM
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Former Hinds County Supervisor Darrel McQuirter is seeking a rehearing in his case seeking to overturn last year’s Democratic primary results on grounds of residency requirements.
On December 31, McQuirter filed a motion with the Mississippi Supreme Court seeking a rehearing in the case, weeks after the high court ruled against him in his challenge of the residency of current District Two Supervisor David Archie.
McQuirter, though, says the high court erred, in part, because it did not take into account that the lower court judge copied his opinion almost verbatim based on an email from Archie’s attorney.