Voters in Mississippi overwhelmingly approved Initiative 65, by 74%, to legalize medical marijuana to treat 22 debilitating conditions. Angie Calhoun of Puckett, says this will allow her only child to come home. Seven years ago, her son Austin suffered from seizures and severe joint pain. After seeing almost 20 doctors and trying 17 prescriptions, he moved out of state so he could use medical marijuana.
"He was just like, 'Mama I'm going to get to come home,'" said Puckett. "And, it's still going to be a little while but you know we have a plan. I mean, Mississippi has a plan that's going to help Mississippians who are sick and it's going to bring home our medical refugees."
Calhoun says the program is expected to be in place no later than August 15 of next year. The initiative requires the Mississippi Dept. of Health to implement, administer, and enforce the provisions of the initiative and to also issue rules and regulations.
Prior to Tuesday's election, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs expressed his concerns about implementing a medical marijuana program. He says his top concern is handling the coronavirus pandemic.
"It's going to be a massive distraction," said Dobbs.
"I know when we talk to people they really aren't that worried about it because it's not really in their wheelhouse but we're here for health. We shouldn't be here to run a drug program."
In a statement, the department of health says they're in the planning stages of reviewing various elements needed to implement a successful marijuana program.
