Mississippi's high court to hear arguments to block medical cannabis in April

The Mississippi Supreme Court said it will hear the challenge to a voter-approved medical cannabis initiative on April 14, as the legal effort to thwart legalization in one of the country’s most conservative states drags on. The legal challenge in Mississippi is one of several pending across the U.S. in the aftermath of a clean sweep for marijuana at the November ballot box. Lawsuits also have been filed to try to block adult-use legalization in Montana and South Dakota and overturn voter-approved initiatives there. Mississippi voters approved a business-friendly MMJ initiative over a more restrictive one placed on the ballot by state lawmakers. The initiative approved by voters requires the Mississippi health department to establish a medical marijuana program by the middle of this year.