The U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to hear a case regarding Mississippi’s restrictions on medical cannabis advertising, upholding a ruling from the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. This decision indicates that, due to the federal illegality of cannabis, arguments presented by plaintiff Clarence Cocroft—a medical cannabis business owner—asserting violations of First Amendment rights do not apply to the marketing of medical cannabis. Henry Crisler, executive director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association, expressed mixed feelings about the Supreme Court’s choice, noting disappointment that the case was not heard. However, he also acknowledged the potential risk of the court’s involvement…
Author: Mississippi Cannabis News
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) might soon enter the recreational marijuana market, signaling a potential shift in local cannabis policy. Multiple experts in the industry suggest that the tribe is actively exploring the decriminalization and regulation of marijuana possession, production, and distribution on Tribal lands. Public Hearings and Community Input The MBCI has organized a series of public hearings from May 12-28 to assess community interest regarding a referendum planned for June 10. Tribal members will vote on whether to support the development of legislation aimed at decriminalizing and regulating marijuana-related activities on Tribal lands. The proposed ballot…
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…
BILOXI, Miss. – A recent study of Mississippi’s medical cannabis industry indicates a steady rise in the number of active medical cannabis cards, averaging an increase of 50 per day. This finding is part of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association’s comprehensive state of the industry report, which analyzed data from Summer 2024 to Summer 2025. As of June 2024, approximately 40,000 active medical cannabis cards were reported, with projections suggesting this figure could approach 50,000 by August 2025. Patient Growth Driven by Word of Mouth Henry Crisler, director of the association, emphasized that the primary factor driving patient growth is…
Many people are exploring cannabis as a potential solution for back pain. Recent studies from Europe suggest it may indeed be an effective option. Research Findings on Cannabis and Back Pain The question of whether to try cannabis for back pain is common among patients, according to spine surgeon Richard Price. After reviewing existing evidence, Price noted a lack of high-quality studies, despite chronic pain being a prevalent reason for seeking medical marijuana. “Anecdotally, [people] say cannabis works great,” said Price, an assistant professor at UC Davis. “It’s the only thing that helps them sleep at night, the only thing…
Prohibitionist-led initiatives are gaining traction in several states, seeking to reverse voter-approved adult-use marijuana markets. In Maine and Arizona, activists are gathering signatures to place measures on the ballot that would undermine existing cannabis legalization laws. Specifically, the Arizona initiative aims to eliminate the state’s licensed retail marijuana market, while the proposal in Maine intends to dismantle the regulated adult-use market, also stripping away the legal right for consumers to cultivate personal amounts of cannabis at home. In Massachusetts, campaigners have successfully collected enough signatures for a similar repeal measure, known as An Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy,…
In a significant update to Army recruiting regulations, the maximum age for enlistment has been raised to 42. This adjustment also removes a barrier for recruits who have a single legal conviction related to marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession. The previous age limit was set at 35, although exceptions were made occasionally. The newly established age cap aligns the Army with other branches of the military, such as the Navy, which has a limit of 41, and the Air Force and Space Force, which allow recruits up to age 42, according to Kate Kuzminski, a researcher focused on military recruiting…
Individuals caught with cannabis on federal lands, including national parks, will now face intensified prosecution following new guidelines from the Department of Justice (DOJ). This marks a shift from recent years where low-level marijuana offenses were less frequently pursued. Darin Smith, the Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming, announced that the DOJ has instructed federal prosecutors to resume charging individuals for marijuana possession on federal lands. “Marijuana possession remains a federal crime in the United States, irrespective of varying state laws,” Smith emphasized. He also noted the ongoing societal challenges posed by drug use. Impact of Recent DOJ…
Michael Stonebarger sorts young cannabis plants at a marijuana farm in Grandview, Mo., in 2022. President Trump has initiated a process to ease federal restrictions on marijuana; however, his directive does not eliminate laws that still classify marijuana as illegal for interstate transport. Trump’s executive order to relax U.S. cannabis restrictions offers potential immediate benefits for businesses in the cannabis sector. While rescheduling marijuana to a lower-risk classification signals a new phase for cannabis research, experts caution that the transition is complicated. Gillian Schauer, executive director of the Cannabis Regulators Association, notes that misinformation exists around the implications of the…
Since its opening in 2022, the clinic at Children’s National Hospital in D.C. has primarily treated patients for fentanyl addiction. However, there has been a noticeable decline in fentanyl cases, while referrals for cannabis use among young people are on the rise. Increasing Cannabis Use in Young Patients According to Dr. Siva Kaliamurthy, who leads the hospital’s addictions program, the hospital is encountering a growing number of teenagers, some as young as 11 years old, requiring treatment for cannabis use and addiction. “The youngest patients we are seeing are in sixth grade. The typical patients are usually in high school,”…