Below is a press release from Mississippi Municipal League:
Members of the Mississippi Municipal League (MML) are encouraging Governor Tate Reeves to call a special legislative session to allow for the Mississippi Legislature to pass a true medical marijuana law, as well as to address the corrections needed in the State’s current initiative process.
In October of 2020, the MML Board of Directors passed a resolution in opposition of Initiative 65. The League’s resolution stated that its opposition was not to the need for or the legitimacy of medical marijuana, but rather stated the organization’s opposition to creating such a program by changing the State’s Constitution without the oversight of the executive and legislative branches. Furthermore, the MML also opposed the fact that no taxes would be collected by municipalities or the State for the things such as roads,
bridges, schools, and public safety services, and that communities would be severely restricted in zoning where medical marijuana dispensaries could be located.
MML President Mayor Billy Hewes of Gulfport stated, “If a special session is called, then all parties will be given the opportunity to be part of the legislative process to create a meaningful program that truly provides relief to patients that might benefit from medical marijuana. At the same time, consideration could be given to the concerns our Board originally outlined in our resolution in opposition of Initiative 65 passed last fall.”
He added, “Cities and towns need to be at the table for any discussions regarding a true medical marijuana program so that Mississippi can provide this treatment option without infringing on the home rule authority of local government.”
The mission of the Mississippi Municipal League is helping cities and towns excel. MML is a non-partisan association established in 1931, representing 289 city, town and village governments in Mississippi. MML is also affiliated with the National League of Cities, a lobbying, legislative and legal arm representing municipalities before the U.S. Congress.
For more information about the Mississippi Municipal League, visit www.mmlonline.com.
