Devereaux Galloway, a Gulf War veteran who faced paralysis and post-traumatic stress disorder after his service, relied heavily on prescribed opioids—averaging around 150 pills per month—following his spinal surgery in 2019. Speaking with the Mississippi Free Press on August 28, Galloway reflected on his treatment, saying, “Of course, I was on opioids. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs was giving them to me. You just do what the doctors tell you: ‘Just take them for pain as needed.’ Well, ‘pain as needed’ was constant.” This reliance led to adverse effects including depression and weight gain. In December 2022, Galloway enrolled in…
Author: Mississippi Cannabis News
Mississippi lawmakers faced a critical deadline on March 3, 2026, leading to the rejection of numerous general bills. Among the notable casualties was a proposal allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in hospitals, which failed in a Senate committee. Additionally, legislation to permit Sunday liquor sales and legalize mobile sports betting also did not progress. A separate initiative aimed at expanding early voting access for Mississippians was similarly defeated in a House committee. During a whirlwind of committee meetings, the array of general bills introduced early in the 2026 legislative session was significantly reduced, leaving only a few…
BILOXI, Miss. – Mississippi’s medical cannabis industry continues to evolve in its fourth year, with recent data from the state health department indicating a significant uptick in patient participation and tax revenue. According to Henry Crisler, executive director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association, state sales tax revenue from the medical marijuana sector rose by approximately half a million dollars compared to the previous year. Patient enrollment has grown from about 50,000 in 2024 to nearly 66,000 in the last year, serving individuals with chronic conditions and PTSD among other qualifying ailments. Crisler highlighted the robust, patient-centered nature of the…
Recreational marijuana remains illegal in Mississippi, although the state has decriminalized possession of small amounts. Home cultivation of marijuana is prohibited, even for patients with medical marijuana cards. Penalties for possession can range significantly, from fines for minor quantities to felony charges for larger amounts. Under Mississippi law, qualified patients can access medical marijuana by obtaining a state-issued card. However, the terms surrounding marijuana possession are complex. While approximately half of U.S. states have legalized recreational marijuana, Mississippi has only partially decriminalized it. Possession of small amounts for personal use is tolerated to an extent, but strict limits still apply…
Updated Feb. 26, 2026, 9:20 a.m. Mississippi’s “Right to Try Medical Cannabis Act” has successfully passed a Senate committee, offering expanded access to medical cannabis for patients who do not meet existing qualification criteria. This development allows physicians to petition for a patient’s inclusion in medical cannabis programs, even if they lack a qualifying condition. The Senate public health committee, predominantly Republican with 19 members, convened on February 24 to discuss this initiative led by Rep. Lee Yancey, R-Brandon. Under current Mississippi law, approximately 20 medical conditions qualify individuals for medical marijuana, including cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder. Proponents argue…
Two significant bills related to Mississippi’s medical cannabis program have recently passed in the House of Representatives, aiming to enhance accessibility for patients. Extension of Medical Cannabis Card Validity The first bill, HB 895, authored by State Rep. Lee Yancey (R), proposes to extend the validity of medical cannabis cards from 12 months to 24 months before a follow-up visit is required, allowing patients more flexibility in their healthcare. This change would eliminate the mandatory six-month follow-up, although practitioners still retain the discretion to request evaluations as needed. Additionally, this bill increases the validity period for designated caregivers, allowing them…
PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) – Recent legislative changes are set to significantly impact Mississippi’s Medical Cannabis Program, with two bills now poised for the governor’s approval. House Bill 895 aims to ease restrictions for current medical cannabis patients by removing THC limits on certain products. Local dispensary owner Michael Haddox explains the importance of this change, noting that the previous cap of 60% often required concentrates to be diluted, leading to less effective products. “The point of concentrates is to provide a potent form of medicine,” Haddox stated. He emphasized that patients, particularly those battling serious conditions like cancer, need…
Most of the three dozen bills aimed at expanding marijuana access in Mississippi did not advance during this legislative session. However, two significant bills have passed and are now awaiting the governor’s signature. These measures would eliminate potency caps on cannabis oils and remove the requirement for follow-up doctor appointments for patients using medical marijuana. Additionally, a “Right to Try” act has been passed, allowing doctors to petition for patients outside the qualifying conditions list to gain access to medical marijuana. The ambition for broader medical marijuana legislation this session faced substantial setbacks. Although lawmakers proposed over thirty bills across…
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has vetoed two significant bills aimed at expanding access to medical marijuana while signing a separate measure intended to support research into the psychedelic ibogaine for potential federal approval as a treatment option. Despite receiving strong bipartisan support from legislators, the cannabis proposals faced rejection. One of the vetoed measures, the “Right to Try Medical Cannabis Act,” sought to create pathways for patients lacking specific qualifying conditions to access medical marijuana. Under the proposed bill (HB 1152) from Representative Lee Yancey (R), healthcare providers could have submitted petitions to the state’s Department of Health for patients…