Medical Marijuana 2020 to Host Signature Event Thursday

By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

Photo provided.

Medical marijuana is available in 33 states in the nation but is not offered in Mississippi. The volunteers with Medical Marijuana 2020 ballot initiative are hoping that changes.

However, before the initiative can be put on the ballot in 2020, 86,000 signatures are needed.

On Thursday, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Stone Center, the Medical Marijuana 2020 team will be on hand to gather signatures from members of the LOU community.
The only requirement to sign the petition is being a registered voter in Mississippi.

The wording of the initiative has already been approved by the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.

If approved by the voters in 2020, patients who are suffering from a variety of approved medical conditions will be able to obtain medical marijuana after they are examined by Mississippi licensed physicians and certified to use medical marijuana. The Mississippi Department of Health will regulate the process by which medical marijuana is grown, processed and made available to patients.

Mississippi is one of about 17 states that does not offer a medical marijuana program.  Photo provided.

Mississippians who have the following debilitating medical conditions would qualify for medical marijuana: cancer, epilepsy and other seizures, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, HIV, AIDS, chronic pain, ALS, glaucoma, Crohn’s disease, sickle-cell anemia, autism with aggressive or self-injurious behavior, spinal cord injuries and similar diseases.

Jamie Grantham, communications director for Medical Marijuana 2020 said it’s time for Mississippi to offer its residents the same relief that is offered in most other states.

“There are so many medicinal uses that will help so many conditions,” she said. “I want people living here to have that same access.”

Oxford attorney, Roberts Wilson said he is 100 percent behind the campaign.

“In my law practice, I see plenty of people who could benefit from having a medical marijuana program available in Mississippi,” he said. “It would be one additional treatment which doctors could certify patients who are suffering from the qualifying debilitating medical conditions for. And, there’s plenty of proof out there that shows real benefits for people suffering from numerous conditions.”

People who want to sign the petition but cannot make the signature-gathering event Thursday in Oxford can sign up online at to be contacted about future signature-gathering events.

For more information about the initiative or to inquire about future signing opportunities, visit www.medicalmarijuana2020.com.