Four Pillars of Medical Marijuana Legislation Consistent with Initiative 65
The Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association believes that we need a program as close to the original Initiative 65 as possible. For Mississippi's medical marijuana program to thrive for both patients and businesses, it needs to hold four basic pillars that are consistent with Initiative 65: broad access for patients, decision rights for certifiers, a free market, and a sustainable revenue model and reasonable regulations. You can learn more about each pillar below.
1. Broad access for patients
Comprehensive list of medical conditions
Ease of enrolling in and staying in the program
No cap on THC or restrictions on delivery methods
Reasonable allotment for patients: 2.5 ounces every 14 days
No requirement that patients be MS residents
Include all protections for patients from Initiative 65
2. Decision Rights for certifiers
Reasonable requirements for healthcare professionals to become certifiers
No unnecessary red tape for certifiers to certify patients
Broad category of potential certifiers: anyone with an active DEA number and unrestricted MS License
Give certifiers authority to determine patient eligibility
Include all protections for certifiers from Initiative 65
3. Free Market
No license caps
Reasonable application and license fees
Reduced fees for “small” growers and manufacturers to encourage Mississippi small business ownership
No unconstitutional residency requirement for owners
Include all protections for businesses and employers from Initiative 65
4. Sustainable revenue model and reasonable regulations
Program funded through revenue; all remaining amount goes to the general fund.
7% state and 2% local sales tax on the final retail sale of product; 2% excise tax on finished product sold to dispensaries
Zoning ordinances must be reasonable: no outright prohibitions. Setback not to exceed 500 feet.
Include all public safety concepts from Initiative 65