Initial count of Senate Bill 2095’s vote was 45-5. This is well above what would be considered to be a vetoproof majority. However, it could be changed by using morning roll call. Senators could amend their votes or check in at the end of each day. Although the measure was held on technical motion, it is expected to move to Congress on Monday. Although passage will be a difficult task, Rep. Lee Yancey, who has been working with Blackwell for months, stated that he is confident the legislation will pass, even if it fails to receive a veto-proof majority of two-thirds. Yancey was one of several House members who stood on Thursday in the Senate gallery or floor during the debate. After Blackwell was congratulated, Yancey stated that “He’s just given me the football.” Gov. Gov. Although the Senate approved the bill, it had been amended to lower the amount from 4 to 3.5 ounces per month to 3.5 to ounces. However, that would still seem to be more than Reeves wanted. The daily dosage unit of the bill, which was 3.5 grams, was kept the same. Reeves stated that this would equal 11 joints per day. Blackwell, a Republican representing Southaven, handed out a 1.5-gram Hemp Cigarette, a 3.5 gram packet of hemp and a 1-ounce package. Blackwell noted that an ounce is the same size as a loaf of bread. Blackwell stated, “I don’t know where they get it,” as some legislators passed out samples and others declined. READ MORE: Mississippi’s medical marijuana bill is expected to be voted on Thursday by the Senate. Here’s a closer look at the bill. Blackwell provided a brief history of cannabis’ use as medicine over the centuries. The bill is now legal in 35 states. He then spent the next two hour successfully fighting off amendments. He said that one was the killing amendment from Sen. Angela Burks Hill (R-Picayune). It was a “strike-all” amendment that would have rewritten all of the bill to ban patients from smoking marijuana. It would also require pharmacists to distribute it, and limit production to four places statewide. READ MORE: Mississippi politicians tussle over medical marijuana. Hill claimed that she was trying to make sure the state has a conservative program for medical marijuana, which doesn’t allow it to become recreational. She said, “You don’t smoke medicine.” Another amendment was offered by Sen. Barbara Blackmon (D-Canton), to allow outdoor cultivation of medical marijuana. Blackwell countered that regulation “from seed to sales” would be difficult, and that having many outdoor farms would expose the program to organized crime and the black market, just as it has in other states. Blackwell stated that “We aren’t Oklahoma” and that this program will not be Oklahoma 2.0. Blackwell assured senators that he had done months of work to ensure that the program was medical and not recreational, or expand the black market. He also said that others have done extensive work over the past months. READ MORE: How should Mississippi medical marijuana regulation be? Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann called it the most scrutinized legislation of recent history. He said that he had not spoken with Reeves and doesn’t know if Reeves is still considering a vote. The same was true for Senate and House leaders on Thursday. Hosemann stated that he believes he was briefed about the bill. After voters passed a 2020 medical marijuana program in overwhelming numbers, lawmakers want to reinstate it. However, the state Supreme Court rejected it on technical grounds. The conservative state legislature has struggled with this issue for years despite growing voter sentiment and even a citizen’s ballot initiative requesting that the state legalize medical marijuana. Many of the advocates of medical marijuana, such as those who supported Initiative 65’s passage, watched the Senate vote from their gallery seats and felt a sense of celebration. President of We Are the 74, Bethany Hill said that she is confident the measure will pass the House. Reeves will not withhold his veto stamp. Hill expressed delight at Blackwell’s willingness to give samples displaying different weights and measurements of hemp. Hill stated that the governor’s colorful description about cannabis had “kind of scared people.” Hill said that 11 joints can be made from 3.5 grams of cannabis. If he vetoes the bill at this stage, it would be insane. He’s kinda backed off.” Blackwell told lawmakers on Thursday that he believes he has backed down. Although the state’s medical marijuana program will need ongoing monitoring and possible future legislative tweaks, “It will be one the best bills in the country.” Blackwell added that while they discussed many things, one thing that was not covered much was the people for whom he is doing this. There are many people out there who are sick and this will help them.