OS mayor-elect in favor of legalizing medical marijuana

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS (WLOX) - The mayor-elect of Ocean Springs is using social media to push for the legalization of marijuana. Shea Dobson's Facebook post says it's time for Mississippians to make their own healthcare decision.

Dobson links his pro-pot comment to a story about a rise in drug overdose deaths.

"States that have legalized medical marijuana have seen a reduction in opiate overdoses. I think it's necessary to give people options in healthcare," Dobson told WLOX News Now. "I think we should be reducing the government's role in healthcare and allowing sick people, people with PTSD and cancer patients, the ability to have the medicine that they see as the best option."

According to a report by The Clarion Ledger, at least 211 Mississippians died from drug overdoses in 2016. That's the most in the state's history.

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