A Mississippi organization is formally seeking signatures on a petition for a ballot initiative measure that would legalize and regulate cannabis and industrial hemp throughout the state.
An informational meeting at Columbus-Lowndes Public Library drew an eclectic crowd Saturday morning. Young and old, black and white, they came to learn more and sign the petition.
Joe Rauhoff, who organized the meeting in Lowndes County, explained the goal of ballot initiative 48, which the group hopes to have on the ballot statewide in 2016.
“We are determined to end the prohibition of cannabis in the state of Mississippi,” Rauhoff said.
Ballot initiative 48 would legalize the use, cultivation and sale of cannabis and industrial hemp statewide. It would regulate the sale of marijuana in the same way that alcohol is currently distributed, through licensed vendors. All recreational cannabis sales would be taxed seven percent. Like alcohol, cannabis would be sold to persons 21 and older. Cannabis sold for medical purposes and industrial hemp would not be subject to taxes. Those wishing to grow more than nine cannabis plants would be required to buy a $25 annual permit from their local circuit clerk. Anyone farming more than 500 plants would pay $1000 annually. The tax money collected from cannabis under ballot initiative 48 would go directly to state public schools until 2020, when the direction of the money can be reviewed by the state legislator.
The initiative also calls for the pardoning of non-violent cannabis offenders from the governor.
Rauhoff said he does not use cannabis himself, but he doesn’t see why it should not be taxed and regulated in the same way as alcohol. He is also concerned about prisons being filled with non-violent offenders.
Rauhoff is also interested in medical marijuana. He said his grandmother got relief from using marijuana when she was very ill, but there was no legal way to get it for her. The memory frustrates him.
That frustration is also felt by Lowndes County resident Joyce Peninger, who suffers from myalgia and knows she could benefit from medicinal cannabis. Peninger found out about the movement, like many others there, via Facebook. She said the fact that she doesn’t have access to something her doctor has recommended is “aggravating.”
Peninger collected the names and numbers of volunteers who would help gather signatures throughout the county. Many at the meeting said they would like to lend a hand.
In order to get on the 2016 ballot, initiative 48 must gather 107,000 signatures by October 2, 2015. But the group, known statewide as Team Legalize, is hoping to have all the signatures by August 1, before the statewide primary elections. The initiative is split up by congressional voting districts. Each district must produce 21,233 signatures. All petition signers must sign in the county where they are registered to vote. All but one or two counties statewide have agreed to collect the signatures at their court offices, according to Rauhoff.
Rauhoff said local businesses have been receptive to gathering signatures thus far. He has asked ten businesses to collect signatures, eight have agreed, and he says one more likely will. Many who attended the meeting left with official petition sheets to have friends sign. Many seemed excited.
“I think it’s just time for Mississippi to move forward,” Rauhoff said.
There will another meeting on Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the library.
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