Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves signed a law allowing the purchase and use of marijuana for medical purposes.
The law went into effect immediately, but the first points of marijuana distribution for patients with serious diseases such as cancer, AIDS and sickle cell anemia may not appear until a few months later.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 36 states and four territories have already legalized medical marijuana, making Mississippi the 37th state.
Under the new law, patients are allowed to buy up to 3.5 grams of marijuana per day for up to 6 days a week, which is about 3 ounces per month. The production and sale of marijuana will be taxed, and the cultivation of “weed” is allowed only in enclosed spaces, which will be inspected by supervisory authorities. The law prohibits the state administration from providing economic incentives for the development of the marijuana industry and gives the governments of counties and cities 90 days during which they can refuse to establish marijuana growing and selling points on their territory.
“There is no doubt that access to medically prescribed marijuana will make life a lot easier for some of our people,” the Governor said. “However, there are people who would like marijuana to be allowed for recreational use. But this would lead to more people smoking weed and fewer people working, not to mention the social and family ills that come with such a decision.”
Newspaper headline:
Marijuana is only for the sick