Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-9-2024
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Legal Studies
First Advisor
Miles Armaly
Second Advisor
Bruce Levingston
Third Advisor
Kimberly Kaiser
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Despite opposition from law enforcement and government officials, Mississippi citizens overwhelmingly voted in favor of establishing a medical marijuana program in 2020. The passing of Senate Bill 2095 (or the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act) marks a significant shift in the state’s drug policy and is a rare example of my home state at the forefront of an emerging industry. My thesis examines the effects of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act by providing an overview of the challenges it creates for the state’s law enforcement agencies and legal community. By analyzing local news stories, public statements from officials, and studies from across the country on medical marijuana’s effects on both health and public safety, key concerns were identified of various enforcement challenges medical cannabis introduces. This study seeks to examine the responses from both law enforcement agencies and the state’s legal community to this program and the broader social implications of how medical marijuana affects the state. This research seeks to contribute to our understanding of how states with historically conservative drug policies are adapting to the shifting public opinion on marijuana and gather insights that can help inform policy decisions, law enforcement training, and legal practices in Mississippi.
Recommended Citation
Bensley, Brighton, "High Stakes: Analyzing the Legal and Law Enforcement Challenges of Mississippi's Medical Marijuana Industry" (2024). Honors Theses. 3148.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3148
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