A statewide effort is underway to get marijuana legalized in Mississippi. A group called Team legalize is in the process of gathering signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the 20-16 ballot. But state leaders are already lining up against the effort.
Roughly 40 people gather at a library in downtown Jackson to learn how they can be part of the effort to get a marijuana amendment on the ballot.
Volunteer Dana Schallheim says she is gathering signatures because the medical marijuana she used in Oregon, helped her survive chemotherapy for cancer.
"Absolutely. Hands down. Yes. I would go through my prescription anti-nausea drugs. A, B, C, D they were all labeled. And when those didn't get the job done I turned to medical cannabis," Schallheim said.
Initiative 48 would legalize all uses of marijuana, industrial hemp, and force the governor to pardon everyone currently incarcerated on marijuana offenses.
One of the groups leaders says more than 700 people have already reached out to offer help.
However, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant says he opposes their effort.
"You are going to see further activity and more serious drug activity. I would be totally against the legalization of Marijuana in any form," Bryant said.
2 states have fully legalized marijuana.
Supporters have to gather more than 100-thousand certified signatures from the five old congressional districts to get their amendment on the ballot.
