It is now up to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves to determine if medical marijuana will become legally available in the state.
Both houses of the state Legislature approved and sent to the governor a conference agreement bill to enable the sale and possession of cannabis for medical purposes. The vote in the Senate Wednesday morning was 46-4 with all three state Senators representing DeSoto County voting in favor. State Sen. Kevin Blackwell (R-Southaven) was the principal author of the original bill. State Sens. Dr. David Parker (R-Olive Branch) and Michael McLendon (R-Hernando) also voted in favor.
The conference report was then sent to the House of Representatives, where it also got support in a 104-13 vote, with all DeSoto County representatives all voting in favor of the conference report.
The majority votes indicate a veto-proof bill in the Legislature if Reeves might choose not to sign it. He has not committed to signing or not signing the bill, but in late December said he would not sign a medical marijuana bill, unless the allowable amounts were greatly reduced.
Last week, the House adjusted portions of the bill to reduce the allowable amount per person from 3.5 ounces per month to 3 ounces per month.
The text of the conference report that was passed is FOUND HERE.
Links to the individual votes on the conference report are found below:
Bob Bakken is the most recognized and most trusted name in DeSoto County news and sports reporting, as readers continue to express their appreciation for his accuracy and fairness in the stories he writes. Bob provides content for DeSoto County News and occasionally is heard on the OB Pod podcast talking about area happenings. A former newspaper editor and writer, his award-winning background also includes television news producing, sports media relations, and radio broadcasting.
