Mississippi becomes 37th state to legalise marijuana

On Wednesday, Republican Governor of Mississippi Tate Reeves signed legislation to make cannabis legal in the state for medical purposes.

The law has become effective immediately, therefore Mississippi has officially become the 37th state to legalise the medical use of the drug.

The state has legalised cannabis to treat people with debilitating conditions such as cancer, AIDS and sickle cell disease.

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This new law means that patients are allowed to buy up to 3.4 grams of cannabis per day up to six days a week.

“There is no doubt that there are individuals in our state who could do significantly better if they had access to medically prescribed doses of cannabis,” Reeves wrote in a statement posted to Twitter.

He added: “There are also those who really want a recreational marijuana program that could lead to more people smoking and fewer people working, with all the societal and family ills that that brings.”

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Even though the law is officially active, it could be months until the first dispensaries open to distribute the drug.

“For all the people who are touched in some way by a loved one or someone they know who benefits from medical cannabis, this brings their quality of life back,” said Ken Newburger, executive director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association.

[Via: ABC News]

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter