Madison opts out of medical marijuana
MADISON — Aldermen on Tuesday voted unanimously to opt out of medical marijuana.
Madison follows Ridgeland, Gluckstadt and Flora in opting out of the state’s Medical Cannabis Act passed in January. Madison County has not yet voted.
Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler said concern for the community is their top priority.
“The limitations over our zoning authority, the waiver to allow dispensaries and grow facilities closer to our churches, schools and daycares without notice to the public, and the increased danger to our first responders are only some of the factors that guided our decision,” she wrote in a Facebook post moments after the vote.
There was no discussions and no one was present to discuss the matter.
The Legislature approved a medical marijuana measure in January a year after voters approved an initiative that was struck down by the state Supreme Court for procedural reasons in a lawsuit brought by the city of Madison and Hawkins-Butler.
The final bill allowed local governments more zoning control over where marijuana growing or processing operations would be allowed.
Counties and municipalities have until May 3 to opt out of the cultivation and/or sale of marijuana. After that local governments cannot opt out. They could always opt in at some point in the future.