During the next few weeks, governing boards in towns, cities, and counties across Mississippi will decide whether or not to participate in the state’s new medical marijuana program.
At least four confirmed cities have decided that for now, they do not want dispensaries, cultivators, or processing facilities operating in their communities.
These locations include
- Brandon — Jackson suburb
- Ridgeland — Jackson suburb
- Pass Christian — on the Coast, west of Gulfport
- Gluckstadt — north of Jackson, south of Canton
Organizations like the Mississippi Cannabis Trade Association among others are keeping track of which communities have decided to opt out of the program so far.
Medical marijuana:Pushback, concerns grow as cities opt out of Mississippi’s medical marijuana program
Rules for opting out
Governing boards have up to 90 days after the program was signed into law on Feb. 2 to hold a public vote to determine whether they want to allow certain medical marijuana-related businesses to operate in their communities. They have the option to opt back in at any point. Voters in those communities also have the ability to request a special election by gathering either signatures by petition from either 1,500 registered voters or 20% of the population (whichever is the least), said Melvin Robinson with the Mississippi Cannabis Trade Association.
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Local officials that choose not to hold a vote after the 90-day window will be considered “opted in” automatically into the program.
While it may be too soon to tell how many more locations will vote against participating program, ease of access remains a top concern for supporters of the program.
This map shows the confirmed locations that have voted against participating in the program so far. It will be updated as more locations determine whether or not to participate.
Maria Clark is a general assignment reporter with The American South. Story ideas, tips, questions? Email her at mclark@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @MariaPClark1. Sign up for The American South newsletter. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
