The Columbia Board of Aldermen voted on April 19 to opt out of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act until all rules and regulations have been set at the state level. The board can vote to opt back in at a later date if it so desires.
Board Attorney Lawrence Hahn said he felt the city should opt out for now and opt back in after zoning has been done in the newly annexed areas of the city.
"It appears to me that a person who has met the requirements under the Act to legally possess and use medical marijuana will be able to do so, even with the city opting out," Hahn said. "The legal use would fall under the guidelines of the Act, which itself spells out how, when, where, etc. The city will look at zoning to further add additional legal restrictions to the use of medical marijuana, in addition to cultivating, processing, sale and distribution."
The opt-out decision can be overcome by a majority vote of the qualified electors. A petition containing at least 20% or 1,500 signatures (whichever number is less) of qualified voters of the city can trigger a special election within the area to override the opt out.
A resolution on liquor sales at Columbia restaurants on Sundays was tabled until the next board meeting, which will be held on May 3.
