City set to discuss medical marijuana vote

Philadelphia alderman plan to discuss the new medical marijuana law at their first meeting in April.

The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act went into effect on Feb. 2 and municipalities have 90 days after that date to opt-out of the act in whole or in parts.

Last week the board received information on the news law from the city attorney. 

“The bill, which passed Feb. 2, contains wording that says every municipality and county, individually, may within 90 days of passage, either vote to accept it or not to have it,” City Attorney Robert Thomas said last Tuesday during a regular meeting. 

In Madison County, Ridgeland Mayor Gene F. McGee said that opting out gave the city time to see what happens in places that do opt-in and noted that it would take longer than they had for the deadline to opt-in or out to draft proper zoning amendments concerning the medical marijuana industry.

In nearby Gluckstadt, two medical cannabis companies are teaming up to gather the 700 or so signatures needed to force a vote to overturn the city’s decision this month to opt-out of medical marijuana.

Madison County Sheriff Randy Tucker, a Gluckstadt resident, spoke to the medical marijuana issue before Gluckstadt’s 3-2 vote to opt out.

“Everyone knew this was coming, but I’m not here to speak for or against it,” Tucker said. “We have 120 days as a city to opt-out or participate in the medical marijuana program. When you talk about enforcement regarding this, there’s a big handicap for law enforcement. It won’t change any DUI laws of that nature, but in other areas like Oklahoma, there were additional crimes and side effects from the marijuana industry. There is a black market that will continue even if medical cannabis is legalized.”