Mississippi marijuana program hinges on initiative arguments

Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler listens to arguments before the Mississippi Supreme Court over her lawsuit that challenges the state's initiative process and seeks to overturn a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved in November, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Randolph, center, questions attorney Justin Matheny of the Mississippi attorney general's office, during arguments over a lawsuit that challenges the state's initiative process and seeks to overturn a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved in November, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Supreme Court Associate Justice David Ishee questions attorneys presenting arguments over a lawsuit that challenges the state's initiative process and seeks to overturn a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved in November 2020, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Supreme Court Associate Justice James D. Maxwell II, questions attorneys presenting arguments over a lawsuit that challenges the state's initiative process and seeks to overturn a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved in November 2020, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Randolph questions attorneys presenting arguments over a lawsuit that challenges the state's initiative process and seeks to overturn a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved in November 2020, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Supreme Court Associate Justice Josiah Dennis Coleman questions attorneys presenting arguments over a lawsuit that challenges the state's initiative process and seeks to overturn a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved in November 2020, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Attorney Justin Matheny with the Mississippi attorney general's office argues before the Mississippi Supreme Court, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, in defense of Mississippi's initiative process. A lawsuit by Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler challenges the initiative process and seeks to invalidate a medical marijuana initiative that Mississippi voters approved in November 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Supreme Court Associate Justice Dawn Beam questions attorneys presenting arguments over a lawsuit that challenges the state's initiative process and seeks to overturn a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved in November 2020, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Supreme Court Associate Justice Robert Chamberlin, questions attorneys presenting arguments over a lawsuit that challenges the state's initiative process and seeks to overturn a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved in November 2020, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Randolph questions attorneys presenting arguments over a lawsuit that challenges the state's initiative process and seeks to overturn a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved in November 2020, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Attorney Kaytie Pickett argues before the Mississippi Supreme Court, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, on behalf of Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler. The mayor filed a lawsuit challenging a medical marijuana initiative by saying because Mississippi's initiative process is outdated and the issue should not have been on the ballot because of the way signatures were gathered. Voters approved the medical marijuana initiative in November 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Randolph, center, flanked on by Presiding Justices James Kitchens, left, and Leslie King, questions attorney Justin Matheny of the Mississippi attorney general's office, during arguments over a lawsuit that challenges the state's initiative process and seeks to overturn a medical marijuana initiative that voters approved in November, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Attorney Kaytie Pickett, left, argues before the Mississippi Supreme Court, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Jackson, on behalf of Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler's lawsuit challenging a medical marijuana initiative by saying because Mississippi's initiative process is outdated and the issue should not have been on the ballot because of the way signatures were gathered. Justin Matheny, right, and Krissy Nobile with the Mississippi attorney general's office, provided the defense of Mississippi's initiative process. Voters approved the medical marijuana initiative in November 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)