As the Nov. 3 elections approach, the question of what this will look like is a topic of growing debate. Three choices will be available to voters in each state. READ MORE: The November ballot will include medical marijuana, but it will be confusing. Both supporters and opponents of legalizing medical marijuana, including well-known politicians, are ramping up their campaigns. Mississippi would become the 35th state that legalizes medical marijuana. However, regulations and programs can vary from one state to another. Both supporters and opponents refer to programs in other states as examples of what they should avoid, especially Arkansas and Oklahoma, which share similar populations to Mississippi. More than 342,000 Oklahomans have medical marijuana patient cards. Nearly 6,000 growers have been licensed and 2,087 dispensaries have also been licensed. This is more than many other states. According to the governor of Oklahoma, recreational marijuana use has been legalized in Oklahoma with its permissive laws. Arkansas, however, has 32 dispensaries and a few growers, as well as strict regulations. Many of the state’s 60,000 approved patients for medical marijuana claim they cannot obtain it, and dispensaries claim that growers aren’t providing enough. Some patients are buying marijuana in Oklahoma by obtaining temporary out-of state licenses. Some patients are also turning to the illegal market. Both states are generating millions of dollars in medical marijuana sales ($345 million in Oklahoma, 2019) and both states are pushing to legalize recreational cannabis. Opponents claim that Initiative 65 would make Mississippi an open-air pot market and that there are no clear regulations or the ability for them to modify or add any. The legislative alternative Initiative 65A, according to proponents, would prevent Mississippians from accessing a treatment that has helped millions of people in other states. Former Gov. Phil Bryant said that “Big Marijuana wants your money and to leave Mississippi families, teachers and health care workers with the mess they helped create.” Phil Bryant published his opinion last week in an op ed that was distributed across the state. “… This is not about money. While they will say they want to help sick people they are actually a predatory business. They already profited from the compassion of other states, and now they want to sell the same scheme here.” Jamie Grantham spokeswoman for Medical Marijuana 2020 said that Initiative 65 was on the ballot because legislators have failed to provide relief for those who could benefit from marijuana. Now voters are taking control. Grantham stated that there is no reason why Mississippians with terrible, incurable conditions like cancer, seizures, ALS and chronic pain should not be able access the benefits of marijuana under the care of their doctors. Angie Calhoun, Puckett, who is a voter supporter, said that Austin, her son, was a healthy teenager. Austin started having seizures, severe joint pain, and couldn’t eat. This was many years ago. His doctors were unable to diagnose the problem. They believed that he had Lyme disease or a bacterial infection. Calhoun stated that her son looked “dead” after undergoing treatment. Calhoun stated that it helped and that he was able to quit 17 other medications. Initiative 65 would allow Mississippi doctors to recognize patients suffering from more than 20 medical conditions. It also includes a few catch-alls like chronic or debilitating symptoms and any other medical conditions for which medical marijuana could be beneficial. Recent polls have found that a majority in Mississippi support legalizing medical marijuana. This is similar to national voter sentiment. The state Legislature has resisted. More than 20 bills that legalized medical marijuana were defeated, but none made it to the floor of either the House or Senate for a full vote. The Legislature passed Initiative 65A, medical marijuana legislation, only after it made it to the ballot. The alternative amendment would only allow terminally ill patients to use marijuana. Patients who require pharmaceutical-grade products, strict supervision by pharmacists, doctors, and nurses would be able to smoke it. The Legislature would be able to determine the tax rates, possession limits, and other details. Initiative 65 opponents acknowledge the need to show compassion for patients who may benefit from medical marijuana. They say that the devil lies in the details of the amendment, and that it could cause major problems. Mississippi doctors and officials are divided. The Initiative 65 steering committee, which includes more than 70 members, is supported by many doctors and health advocates. But the politically-appointed State Board of Health — which would be tasked with regulating the marijuana program and overseeing the Health Department’s running of it — has passed a resolution opposing Initiative 65. “Never been a product of the constitution” Opponents to Initiative 65 claim that legalizing medical marijuana in the constitution would make it more difficult for elected officials and make any future changes without going back to voters. Ed Langton, Hattiesburg’s businessman and Board of Health member, stated that “there has never been any product in the constitution.” “Call it medical cannabis, or call it medical cream. Putting medical in the title doesn’t mean it’s medical unless it is a truly medical product. Some of my friends support medical marijuana, while others are against it. I support my friends. No matter what side you’re on, it is important that you read (Initiative 65), and not just hear soundbites or snippets. It is important to fully understand the consequences and complications that this will have. This is not an amendment you should vote for. Board of Health member Jim Perry stated: “Initiative 65 would create liberal rules for marijuana sales in the state constitution with very low fees and a ban on selling it anywhere else. Because Initiative 65 was designed for the proponents and sellers of marijuana, who want to make as much money as possible. Perry stated that if Initiative 65 is passed, the board and Department of Health would do their best to implement the state constitution. “But we believe that a more effective program is one which could be adjusted as more research on marijuana is done, as well as as federal laws changing, is what Perry said. Proponents also stated that enshrining the program into the state constitution will ensure it is implemented and doctors and patients decide about treatment. The Health Department would be the taxing authority. While taxpayers wouldn’t have any responsibility for Initiative 65, state tax coffers would benefit. The constitution amendment would require that fees collected by the Health Department go to the operation of the medical marijuana program. It would also prohibit revenue from being sent into the general fund. The amendment would allow the Health Department to use three sources of revenue to fund the program: an assessment of the state’s final sales tax rate for marijuana, $50 for identification cards and reasonable fees for dispensaries. The Board of Health and other opponents claim this would give the Health Department, which is run by non-elected officials without legislative oversight, taxing and spending power. Any money raised above the cost would be held in an account at the Health Department and could not be used for schools, roads, or health care. Langton stated that none of the money collected would go to any cities, counties or other places. Another problem — which has been raised in other states — is the fact that medical marijuana is primarily an cash retail business. Because marijuana is still illegal under federal law, banks are hesitant to handle the money. Insurance companies won’t even cover it. Perry stated that the problem of managing a cash-only company for a product that is still illegal under federal law would be one of many. “Yes, there’s real problems in complying money laundering and other statutes governing banks and real issues with marijuana industry… I don’t know how Department of Health would handle that, but it would.” Supporters of Initiative 65 argue that the Health Department setting fees and collecting money without relying upon legislative appropriations will create a sustainable program. Spence Flatgard, an attorney representing Medical Marijuana 2020, stated that the cash and banking issues have been solved in other states and that state-chartered banks are able to deal with the industry. Perry stated that Initiative 65 would legalize marijuana “effectively for those who have the means and are well-connected enough to benefit from it” and allow those with modest incomes to purchase it on the streets. Perry stated that he believes marijuana can be legalized if you have the right to access a doctor and are able to pay cash at a marijuana shop, which can charge 20% to 40% more than a street corner. If you don’t live in public housing, where it is prohibited by federal law, then you can legally possess it. “Leave it up to doctors, not politicians” Opponents of Initiative 65 claim that it is too open-ended in terms of what patients can be certified to use marijuana and the amount they are allowed to purchase. The amendment that does not limit the number of dispensaries could lead to pot shops popping up everywhere. They also claim the amendment would override local zoning laws. Under Initiative 65, certified patients can purchase up to 2.5 ounces each 14 days. According to some state law enforcement officials, that amount is sufficient to ensure that patients can legally purchase medical marijuana. Madison County Sheriff Randy Tucker was one of the state law enforcement officers who strongly opposed Initiative 65. Tucker warned that “we are fixing to open Pandora’s box” and said, “Law enforcement has been overburdened already. We have been pushed to our limits with resources and manpower.” I have friends and constituents from both sides. I am not here to discuss the medical aspect of it — I am not a doctor. What I will talk about is the law enforcement part of it. It will be highly misused.” He said that the initiative would lead to an increase in petty crime, violent crime and DUI deaths. Proponents claimed that Initiative 65’s 2.5 ounce allowance every two weeks is comparable to — or lower than — the limits in other states that have legalized medical marijuana. The Arkansas initiative proposes the same limit. Oklahoma allows possession of up to three ounces at a time. California permits possession up to 8 ounces, while Oregon allows for up to 24. The Health Department would license dispensaries and “treatment centers” under Initiative 65. “… It is possible and likely that a dispensary would locate across the street of a home. There would be no way for family members or community leaders to stop it. “They are saying that there will be pot shops at every corner. Grantham stated that he didn’t want this. Grantham stated that the same free-market system that restricts communities from having more grocery stores, drug stores, or retail space than they can afford will also be in play here. Flatgard explained that the amendment regarding what patients can use medical marijuana was written after thorough study of other states and consultation with doctors. Flatgard stated that doctors will handle this matter, and not politicians. The state Board of Health stated in a written statement that it was not about medicine and that it wasn’t about epilepsy or parents with cancer. Seven doctors wrote a response to the board saying they don’t believe the opposition to Initiative 65 is based on outdated arguments and misinformation. The doctors stated that medical marijuana is not a panacea, but Mississippians suffering from debilitating conditions should have the option. “The results of 34 other states have shown that medical marijuana can be effective. We believe that the state’s many patients who are suffering from it will find it an acceptable treatment option.” “The medical marijuana initiative is all about medicine.”