Mississippi’s Supreme Court invalidated a voter-approved initiative that would have legalized medical marijuana on Friday. This undated file photo shows a hand striking a gavel with marijuana flowers and hemp seeds nearby. In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that because the state constitution mandates that ballot initiative petitioners must collect signatures from voters in
Mississippi’s Supreme Court invalidated a voter-approved initiative that would have legalized medical marijuana on Friday. This undated file photo shows a hand striking a gavel with marijuana flowers and hemp seeds nearby.
In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that because the state constitution mandates that ballot initiative petitioners must collect signatures from voters in five Mississippi congressional districts, while the state has only had four districts following the 2000 census, no ballot initiatives since 2000 are legally valid.
Since voters in the state can no longer directly weigh in under the ruling, the outdated constitutional provision cannot be changed unless Mississippi lawmakers decide to take on the issue. In addition, any other ballot initiatives that have passed in the 20 years since the districts changed would likely also be invalidated if challenged in court.
