Jackson, Mississippi - Medical marijuana is now legal for patients with severe conditions in the state of Mississippi, but even though Governor Tate Reeves approved it, he feels very different when it comes to recreational use.

After both the state House and Senate passed the bill in January, Reeves officially signed off on it this past Wednesday, making Mississippi the 37th state in the US to do so.

There were enough votes from the legislature to override Reeves, who has been vocal about his opposition, if he decided to veto the bill.

In a statement regarding the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act being passed, Reeves wanted to make it very clear that his signing of the bill did not mean he has adopted a progressive stance on drug reform. He also pushes a strong stance against any possibility of decriminalization or a bill for recreational users.

"There are also those who really want a recreational program that could lead to more people smoking and less people working, with all the societal and family ills that that brings."

Reeves goes on to state that his goal since his first day in office has been to, "do everything in my power to minimize and mitigate – though knowing it is impossible to eliminate – the likelihood" of passing any type of recreational marijuana bill.

This is all pretty interesting considering the fact that Reeves, who is also an avid supporter of Donald Trump, claims to be "committed to supporting the will of the people," except in cases in which he disagrees with them.

In November 2020, Mississippi citizens voted overwhelmingly in favor of Initiative 65 which would have created a medical marijuana program for the state. This came to the dismay of Mississippi officials who sought to disqualify the vote using legal loopholes, and they were eventually backed by the state Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of nullifying the voter-approved law.

Reeves' antiquated views on marijuana and those that use it seem to be out of sync with the majority in his state, and he made it clear that he only grudgingly singed the bill.

Despite the opposition and naysayers, the passing of this bill is a very big deal.

Mississippians with qualifying medical conditions will now have the ability to be prescribed medical marijuana and purchase up to 3.5 grams per day, coming out to about 3 ounces per month.

It will also decriminalize possession for those approved patients.

Sure, it is not the sweeping drug reform that the vast majority of Americans are in favor of, but it is absolutely a step in the right direction.

While many states across the US have adopted legalization in various capacities, the federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and methamphetamine.

President Biden has talked a big game about addressing the subject, but has yet to deliver on his promises.

While there have been attempts to reschedule it in recent years, most courts simply dismiss it.

With every state that gets on board, whether it be with medical or recreational legislation, it creates more pressure on the federal US government and politicians in Washington to actually take the subject seriously and enact change.