Mississippi
CANNABIS DISPENSARY REGULATIONS FOR MISSISSIPPI
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) remains the primary regulatory authority for the state’s medical cannabis program. The MSDH continues to provide licenses for medical cannabis cultivation, testing, transportation, processing, and waste disposal facilities, as well as coordinate the registration for patients, caregivers, and medical practitioners certifying patients.
Mississippi’s medical cannabis market has experienced rapid growth since its launch in January 2023. However, the state has implemented temporary restrictions on new licenses. From July 1, 2024, until July 1, 2025, the MSDH will not issue new licenses for cannabis cultivation facilities or cannabis processing facilities. Existing applicants who filed before July 1, 2024, may still receive licenses if their applications are deemed complete by that date.
The program continues to evolve, with new regulations being implemented. For instance, licensed cannabis processing facilities are required to obtain GMP certification by July 1, 2027. The state has also introduced more stringent requirements for license applications, including questions about past license revocations or suspensions in any state.
To ensure product quality and patient safety, the MSDH has recently placed an administrative hold on a large number of medical cannabis products for retesting. This action demonstrates the state’s commitment to maintaining high standards within the industry.
The market’s growth has necessitated updates to various aspects of the program, including age restrictions, allowable amounts of medical cannabis and total THC, and educational requirements for individuals with work permits. These changes reflect the state’s ongoing efforts to balance accessibility with responsible regulation in its medical cannabis program.
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CANNABIS LEGALIZATION HISTORY IN MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi has a limited history with cannabis legalization. In 2020, voters approved Initiative 65, which legalized medical cannabis in the state. The law allows qualified patients to obtain a medical cannabis card from a licensed physician and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis every 14 days.
However, since the passage of Initiative 65, the program has faced challenges, including ongoing legal disputes over various aspects of the program and efforts by some lawmakers to undermine or delay implementation. As of early 2023, the state has not yet issued any licenses to medical cannabis businesses.
While there have been some efforts to expand access to cannabis in Mississippi more broadly, these efforts have so far been unsuccessful. The state remains relatively conservative in its approach to drug policy, and possession of cannabis remains illegal in most circumstances.
Overall, Mississippi’s cannabis policy remains limited, with only medical cannabis currently legal in the state. While the passage of Initiative 65 was a significant step forward for cannabis advocates in the state, ongoing challenges suggest that there is still significant work to be done to ensure that patients have access to the care they need.