ALERT: “Medical” marijuana ballot initiative is about as clear as mud

By Kenny Digby
Correspondent

The following information concerning the confusing manner in which Initiative 65 (“medical” marijuana) is being presented to voters on the Nov. 3 ballot has been verified by the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office to be accurate in its details, regardless of what some elected officials and other leaders are saying.

When you get to the Initiative 65 section of the ballot, and if you are against “medical” marijuana, mark the second oval “NO” and leave the other three blank. If you are against “medical” marijuana, the sample reproduced above shows how you will want to mark your ballot. There are four vertically-aligned ovals. Mark only the SECOND oval, which signifies your vote against both Initiative 65 and 65A. Leave the first, third, and fourth ovals blank.

If a simple majority votes “NO” (second oval), “medical” marijuana is defeated – period. If a simple majority votes “YES,” (first oval), the votes for Initiative 65 (third oval) or the alternate 65A (fourth oval) will be counted. If the first oval marked “YES” succeeds, and either 65 or 65A gets over 40% of the total vote, the measure will become law. That is why only the second oval should be marked if you’re against “medical” marijuana.

If I’m against “medical” marijuana, why do I want to help put either initiative over the 40% threshold? I don’t! Even if a misinformed majority vote yes (first oval) on “medical” marijuana, 40% of the total vote must approve one of the two initiatives. If neither initiative gets 40% of the total vote, medical marijuana is defeated. Mark only the SECOND oval and leave the other three blank.

Which is worse, 65 or 65A? Think of it this way: Do you want snakes in your house – yes or no? If no (SECOND oval), why would you vote yes for a rattlesnake (third oval) or a copperhead (fourth oval) to be in your home? Both snakes are equally destructive, so don’t vote for either 65 or 65A. As for me, I don’t want even a garter snake among my shoes in the closet!

One more time — of the four ovals, mark only the SECOND oval if you are against “medical” marijuana and leave the other three blank. This is a simple, clear response to a very confusing ballot.

Digby is executive director-treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Christian Action Commission. Permission is granted to distribute the embedded video:  vimeo.com/msbaptists/voteno. For more information on the ministries of the Commission, visit christianaction.com/.