Three DeSoto County city boards of aldermen are expected to take action on a possible opt-out from the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act that passed the legislature in the 2022 session.
Aldermen in Southaven, Olive Branch and Hernando have on their agendas discussions with possible consideration of opt-outs during their Tuesday meetings.
Facing a May 2 deadline to determine if it will opt-out of the new law or not, Tuesday will be the last regularly scheduled gathering for those boards before that date.
Horn Lake aldermen early in April voted to opt-out from the law.
Known as the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, the law permits the use of medical cannabis to treat certain debilitating medical conditions. The law also allows for licensed entities to be dispensaries of legal medical cannabis.
Much of the lead-up discussions have surrounded questions on zoning control, an issue many felt was not adequately addressed when the measure passed.
If cities and counties opt-out, as some in Mississippi, like Horn Lake, already have, they do have the ability to opt back into the law at any time. However, the reverse cannot happen after the May deadline.
However, there is the ability in the law for citizens to demand through gathering petitions for a referendum after the May 2nd deadline if cities choose to opt-out.
The Southaven agenda for Tuesday’s meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall is found on the official city website.
The Olive Branch agenda for their meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Court building, is found on the official city website.
Hernando aldermen will also discuss the medical marijuana issue during its 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday at City Hall. The meeting agenda is posted on the Hernando city website.
The Horn Lake board of aldermen agenda was not immediately available to post on this item.
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