Mississippi’s latest legislative session has concluded, marked by a short special session on the horizon due to the absence of a state budget. This session brought modifications to the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act (MMCA) and a failed consumable hemp regulatory bill. These developments indicate ongoing efforts to enhance a medical cannabis program that is entering its third year since legalization. While no significant changes were instituted in 2024 or 2025, some positive advancements have emerged, reminiscent of William Faulkner’s insightful remark: “Given a choice between grief and nothing, I’d choose grief.” The early years of the medical cannabis industry may have presented challenges, yet the situation in Mississippi stands in stark contrast to its neighboring states like Alabama and Tennessee, which are currently devoid of a medical cannabis framework.
MMCA Tweaks
Two noteworthy adjustments to the MMCA were introduced through Sen. Kevin Blackwell’s Bill SB 2748. First, the calculation method for a Mississippi Medical Cannabis Equivalency Unit (MMCEU) for concentrates and infused products has changed. Effective July 1, 2025:
- One unit of MMCEU for concentrates will equate to one gram of total THC in a cannabis concentrate, replacing the previous measure based on one gram of the concentrate.
- One unit of MMCEU for infused products will also be set at one gram of total THC, as opposed to the earlier standard of 100 milligrams of THC.
For flower, a unit of MMCEU remains at 3.5 grams. Patients are permitted to purchase up to 24 MMCEUs every 30 days and possess up to 28 MMCEUs at any given time. Additionally, SB 2748 has removed the requirement for initial in-person practitioner assessments for patients who are homebound or bedbound, provided they have certification from a different practitioner.
Consumable Hemp Products Bill Fails by One Vote
Rep. Lee Yancey’s HB 1502 sought to impose significant restrictions on the sale of hemp-derived products in Mississippi, aiming to authorize only “consumable hemp products” and hemp beverages. The bill defined “consumable hemp products” narrowly, permitting mainly cosmetic items and non-intoxicating CBD products. The proposed regulation for hemp beverages would have involved limits aligned with current light beer and wine regulations, capping them at 12-ounce containers with no more than 5 milligrams of THC. Despite passing the House, HB 1502 ultimately faltered in the Senate by a single vote, leaving Mississippi without a regulatory framework for the sale of consumable hemp products across the state.
Mississippi Remains at the Forefront of Cannabis Research
Mississippi is home to the only federally sanctioned marijuana growing facility for decades, contributing significantly to government-funded cannabis research. Although other states now also engage in cannabis research, Mississippi retains its prominent position. The Mississippi Legislature has allocated funds for this research endeavor, and the University of Mississippi recently announced plans for an expanded cannabis research center at its Oxford campus. The Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (R3CR) will operate within the National Center for Natural Products Research, supported by collaborations with the National Institutes of Health, Washington State University, and the United States Pharmacopeia.
Conclusion
As of this writing, Mississippi’s medical cannabis program has issued 56,231 active medical cannabis cards. Furthermore, the Department of Revenue’s latest Quarterly Retail Sales Report indicates a 61% increase in medical cannabis sales compared to the same period last year, amounting to an increase of $32,347,752. With medical cannabis only available in Mississippi for less than two and a half years, these figures, though below industry expectations, demonstrate a positive trajectory. In the words of another Mississippi literary figure, Eudora Welty, “it doesn’t matter if it takes a long time getting there; the point is to have a destination.”
