Supreme Court Declines to Hear Medical Marijuana Lawsuit, Leaving Lower Court Ruling in Place
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 […]
Choctaw Native Americans Explore Opportunities in Mississippi’s Legal Cannabis Market
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 […]
Mississippi Cannabis Advances: Key Legislative Changes Coming in 2025
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 […]
Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program Sees Daily Increase of 50 New Registrations, Study Reveals
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. […]
Medical Marijuana Thrives in Mississippi While Progress Slows in Alabama
The interior of the FerrCannabis dispensary in Hattiesburg resembles a dean’s office more than a typical headshop. Built-in bookshelves and landscape paintings adorn the walls, complemented by high-backed chairs and antique lamps. Store manager Ben Prater cites inspiration from a library at the University of Alabama, contrasting it with Alabama’s lagging medical marijuana industry, which […]
Merchants & Marine Bank Unveils CannaFirst Financial, Mississippi’s First Bank for Cannabis Entrepreneurs
PASCAGOULA, Miss.–Merchants & Marine Bank, a century-old Mississippi-based banking institution, has introduced CannaFirst Financial (CannaFirst), the inaugural banking division specifically aimed at business owners in the rapidly growing cannabis industry in Mississippi. Services Tailored for the Cannabis Industry CannaFirst is designed to assist clients with platform integration, online and mobile banking, cash transport, and treasury […]
Mississippi Cities Opt Out of Medical Marijuana Programs, Hindering New Business Growth
Buell Polk has owned retail pharmacies in Mississippi since 1978. The locally-owned business has expanded to nine Polk’s Drugs locations throughout the state. About 18 months ago, around the time Mississippi voters approved a ballot initiative establishing the framework for medical marijuana, Polk purchased a building in Brandon for a new retail site, uncertain of […]
Mississippi Cities Take Action to Ban Medical Marijuana Businesses Amid Growing Controversy
Mississippians eager to establish medical marijuana businesses face new challenges as city aldermen take action against the state’s cannabis program. Despite a significant majority of voters supporting Initiative 65 in November 2020 to create a medical marijuana framework, the program was invalidated by the state Supreme Court on a constitutional technicality. After prolonged uncertainty, Governor […]
Mississippi Governor Issues Veto on Cannabis Reform, Sparking Controversy and Debate
With his previous resistance to medical cannabis legislation, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves is now facing considerable pressure as the House passed an amended version of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act by a striking 105-14 on January 19, 2022. This overwhelming bipartisan support reflects the legalization movement that began with the voter-approved Initiative 65 in November […]
Five States Approve Cannabis Legalization Measures, Marking a Historic Election Night Victory
In a landmark development for cannabis legislation, all five states with cannabis measures on the ballot during the November 2020 election have voted in favor of either medical or adult-use legalization. New Jersey, Arizona, and Montana approved adult-use cannabis, while Mississippi passed a measure for medical cannabis. Notably, South Dakota became the first state to […]
Mississippi Approves Legalization of Medical Cannabis, Marking a Historic Shift in State Policy
Preliminary results from Mississippi indicate that the legalization of medical cannabis has passed with approximately 67% of the vote, as reported by the New York Times. Initiative 65, spearheaded by Mississippians for Compassionate Care’s Medical Marijuana 2020 campaign, garnered around 48% more votes than the state legislature’s Alternative 65A. Approximately 33% of voters opposed both […]