Mississippi Cannabis News
Early Voting, Medical Cannabis, AI Task Force
State of Mississippi employees who are parents could get paid parental leave within 12 weeks of a child’s birth or adoption under a bill the Mississippi House passed on Thursday, Jan. 30. Like other legislation, it would need to earn approval in the Senate as well and a signature from the governor to become law.
Mississippi currently does not have a paid parental leave policy for state employees. Rep. Kevin Felsher, R-Biloxi, said Mississippi would join 38 other states that have paid parental leave policies if the bill becomes law.
“The Parental Leave Act will bring us in line with these states and serve as a retention and recruiting tool for Mississippi while placing additional value on children and family for our state employees in a post-Roe era,” he said on the House floor on Jan. 30. Mississippi successfully challenged and the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, ending federal abortion rights and allowing the state to implement a near-total abortion ban.
House Bill 1063 designates eight weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregivers and two weeks for secondary caregivers with full pay during their absence. To qualify for leave, the bill says the employee must have been working full-time at their job for 12 months.
The bill defines a primary caregiver as “the parent who has the primary responsibility for the care of the child following the birth or adoption of a child” and a secondary caregiver as “the parent who has secondary responsibility for the care of a child following the birth or adoption of a child.”
A state employee could only take paid parental leave one time in 12 months. If a worker also received leave under the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act, their state parental leave would run concurrently with FMLA. After taking their leave, state employees could use up to six months of earned major medical leave for the birth of their child.
The state employee requesting paid parental leave would have to notify their employer of their absence at least 30 days in advance if possible or at their earliest convenience in case of an emergency.
Public school districts and community colleges would have to comply with H.B. 1063 with a policy that “includes the same or substantially the same provisions” as the bill.
After unanimously passing the bill on Jan. 30, the Mississippi House sent it to the Mississippi Senate for consideration.
Early In-Person Voting
All eligible Mississippi voters could cast their ballots in person starting 15 days before any election and ending the Saturday before the election at noon under Senate Bill 2654.
Mississippi would abolish in-person absentee voting if the state adopts early in-person voting under the proposal. In-person absentee voting starts 45 days before elections but is limited only to certain voters, such as those age 65. Mail-in absentee voting would continue as normal under the plan, the bill’s author, Mississippi Sen. Jeremy England, R-Vancleave, said in a Mississippi Senate Elections committee meeting on Jan. 30.
Unlike in-person absentee voting, voters would not need an excuse or special reason to vote early under S.B. 2654. The senator said the early voting process should be easier for circuit clerks and voters than in-person absentee voting.
“This past election, we saw a lot of coverage on this issue,” England told senators at a Senate Elections committee meeting on Jan. 30. Folks (across the nation were) showing up and voting early across all demographics. We had people in Mississippi showing up to their clerks’ offices, saying they were here to vote early and they were told, ‘We don’t have that in Mississippi.’”
The Senate passed the same early in-person voting bill in 2024 but it died in the House Apportionment and Elections Committee. England brought it back for this year’s session at a Senate Elections committee meeting on Jan. 30, where the bill passed out of committee. S.B. 2654 heads to the House for consideration.
Division of Autism Services
The Mississippi State Department of Mental Health could soon have a Division of Autism Services under a bill the Mississippi House passed on Jan. 29.
The division would develop a long-term plan using scientific research and national practices to implement a system-of-care for people with autism and review the plan annually. Mississippi House Rep. Kevin Felsher, R-Biloxi, said on the House floor on Jan. 29 that MDMH officials support the bill and have the office space necessary to add an autism division. The state would need to hire two employees for the division with annual salaries of $165,000 each.
The 2024 Autism Advisory Council report says that one in 36 children will get an autism diagnosis this year, up from one in 69 kids in 2012.
“Given the drastic uptick in those being diagnosed with autism, we need to ensure the required services are available and easily accessible. The creation of this division is the first critical step in addressing this issue,” Felsher said on the House floor on Jan. 29.
“There is an urgent and substantial need to develop and implement a statewide comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system of care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families,” House Bill 807 says.
The bill passed out of the House by a 116-2 vote on Jan. 30 and goes to the Senate for consideration.
Medical Cannabis Program Updates
Mississippi patients who are homebound or bedbound could soon visit their medical-cannabis health-care practitioner via telehealth evaluation instead of seeing their provider in person under House Bill 611, introduced by Mississippi House Rep. Lee Yancey, R-Brandon.
Another practitioner must certify that the patient needs to see their health-care provider via telehealth.
“For the person who is homebound that we’re making this change to help for the written certification, would you, as we go through the process, tweak this to put a little language in there so that they can make sure they don’t have to go out and do anything to get the license … so that their health-care provider can also effectuate that as well. Will you clarify?” Rep. Omeria Scott, D-Laurel, asked Yancey on the House floor on Jan. 28.
“Yes, ma’am, we’ll work through the process to make sure to get that done. I think it’s possible now, but we’ll talk about it,” Yancey replied.
The bill would also require medical-cannabis businesses to obtain medical-cannabis establishment licenses from the Mississippi Department of Health and the Mississippi Department of Revenue before the business could apply for zoning or permitting in a city or county.
The bill would also change how the state measures medical marijuana units. One Mississippi Medical Cannabis Equivalency Unit currently equals 3.5 grams of cannabis flower, 100 milligrams of THC in an infused product or one gram of THC concentrate under the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act. H.B. 611 would “designate one unit of MMCEU as one gram of THC in a cannabis concentrate or one gram of THC in an infused product.”
H.B. 611 passed out of the House by a 113-5 vote on Jan. 28 and heads to the Senate for consideration.
Faux Meat Product Regulation
Plant-based faux-meat products and other food made without animals but that resemble common meat products could not include meat or meat-food product labels under a bill the House passed on Jan. 29. House Bill 913 says all food companies must label their products as containing meat or not containing meat to inform consumers about the authenticity of the food.
The bill requires colleges and universities to establish policies to prevent people from purchasing “products that are misbranded as meat products or cultivated meat products,” Rep. Vince Mangold, R-Jackson, said on the House floor on Jan. 29
“All we’re making them do is label what they’re selling. I mean, if it’s on the menu, it would say, ‘This is not a meat-based product,’” he said on the House floor.
Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson would oversee the regulations outlined in H.B. 913. He could pull a food product off the shelves if he had “any reason to believe” that the labeling or description of the food was “false or misleading” unless the manufacturer agreed to correct the description, the bill says.
The company could request a hearing if the manufacturer disagreed with Gipson under the bill. If the hearing did not go in the company’s favor, the business could file an appeal in chancery court within 30 days.
The House passed H.B. 913 by a 115-1 vote and sent it to the Senate for consideration on Jan. 29.
Banning Lab-Grown Meat
Manufacturing, selling or distributing food products made from cultured animal cells, like lab-grown meat, would be illegal in Mississippi under a bill the House passed on Jan. 29. House Bill 1006 defines “cultivated food products” as “any food product produced from cultured animal cells.”
“They’re taking stem cells from an animal and growing it in labs and coming out with cuts of meat. This bill would prohibit that in Mississippi,” Rep. Bill Pigott, R-Tylertown, said on the House floor on Jan. 29.
Law enforcement would charge violators with a misdemeanor and fine them up to $500 or send them to county jail for three months or less, the bill says.
Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson would be in charge of overseeing the provisions outlined in the bill. The bill allows Gipson to remove a product from stores if he thinks it is illegitimate. The product’s manufacturer could request a hearing and an appeal if they disagree with Gipson’s determination.
H.B. 1006 passed out of the House with a 116-0 vote. It heads to the Senate for consideration.
Artificial Intelligence Regulation Task Force
Mississippi could establish an artificial intelligence regulation task force that would “study and evaluate” AI tools and systems in state government and report its discoveries and recommendations to the Legislature each year by Dec. 1 under a bill the House passed on Jan. 30.
“As the use of artificial intelligence has implications for state, national and personal security and privacy, it is necessary to ensure the use of artificial intelligence is conducted in a responsible, ethical, transparent and beneficial manner,” House Bill 1535 says.
The bill says the task force would be comprised of seven voting members: the executive director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, the director of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network, the executive director of the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, the adjunct general of the Mississippi National Guard, the Mississippi Attorney General and two appointees from the Mississippi Senate and the Mississippi House of Representatives that the lieutenant governor and speaker of the House would choose.
Under the bill, task force members would evaluate any proposed changes to the Mississippi Code involving AI technology regulation, including fostering innovation and collaboration; oversight of designing, testing and refining responsible AI regulations; reviewing national and other states’ AI laws and policies and making recommendations based on their research; and allocating funding.
H.B. 1535 says members would receive $40 per diem compensation for each day they engage in task force business and non-legislative members would receive “reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while engaged in official business of the task force.”
The task force would begin after the bill becomes law and would dissolve on Dec. 31, 2027, after presenting its cumulative report to the Legislature, the bill says.
The House unanimously passed the bill and sent it to the Senate for consideration.
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Author: mscannabiz.com
MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.
Mississippi Cannabis News
Dozen arrested after south Mississippi bust for illegal sales to underage customers
An investigation into south Mississippi businesses selling “alcohol, dangerous illegal vapes, THC edibles,” and other age-restricted or illegal items to underage customers has resulted in at least a dozen arrests with more possible, according to law enforcement.
An announcement by the Perry County Sheriff’s Office said deputies began an investigation in early 2024 after fielding complaints that some businesses in the county were purposely allowing individuals under the age of 21 to purchase age-restricted products.
Sheriff Jacob Garner said as the investigation unfolded, it quickly became clear that the issue was not restricted to Perry County. Law enforcement in nearby Forrest, Lamar, Marion, Greene, Jefferson Davis, and Jones counties had received similar complaints about businesses in their jurisdictions.
Local agencies teamed up with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency for over a year’s worth of identifying subjects, initiating traffic stops, and fielding more calls for service. It culminated on Sept. 11 after 20 search warrants were carried out, with 12 individuals being arrested for their involvement in the businesses selling alcohol, tobacco, and THC to minors.
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“Anyone who chooses to open a business in Perry County for the purpose of selling illegal narcotics, vapes, or THC products to children or adults will be arrested and prosecuted,” Garner said. “These items – disguised as safe or legal – are destroying lives and endangering the health and safety of our citizens. Business owners profiting off the harm of our children and adults in our county will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Garner added that many of the defendants, while operating in different counties, were working in tandem. The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol aided in the investigation that remains active.
The following list of arrests and charges has been announced by the involved law enforcement agencies:
- Khaled Alhamidi, 55, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking while in possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to sell a controlled substance.
- Akram Alhamidi, 25, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking while in possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to sell a controlled substance.
- Omar Obaid, 40, of Hattiesburg: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
- Gaizan Abubaker, 37, of Houma, La.: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
- Rami Selah, 32, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of an enhanced firearm.
- Bassel Saleh, 53, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
- Mark Shaibi, 24, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm.
- Gabr Al-Gabri, 36, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of an enhanced firearm.
- Basel Rashad, 30, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking while in possession of a firearm.
- Anmed Elgabry, 30, of Petal: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of an enhanced firearm.
- Mohammed Riyadh, 31, of Hattiesburg: Two counts of aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
- Ahmedou Mohamedlaamar, 22, of Perry County: Aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance.
Author: mscannabiz.com
MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.
Donald Trump is reportedly looking at reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug in the US.
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, the 79-year-old president is ‘looking at’ making a huge change, which would make it easier to buy and sell weed, making the multibillion-dollar industry more profitable.
The publication’s sources claimed that during a recent fundraiser held at his New Jersey golf club, where tickets for the event went for a whopping $1 million each, the Republican leader first spoke of the potential plans.
He allegedly said he was ‘looking at’ possibly changing the classification of marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to a Schedule III substance.
In simple terms, this doesn’t mean it would make the drug completely legal across the US, but it would help ease restrictions on it.
Donald Trump is reportedly considering whether to reclassify marijuana in the US (Bloomberg/Getty Images)
At the event, speaking of tweaking the federal restrictions for the drug, Trump allegedly said: “We need to look at that. That’s something we’re going to look at.”
Then, according to The Telegraph, speaking at a press conference on Monday, the US president affirmed: “We’re looking at reclassification, and we’ll make a determination over, I’d say, the next few weeks.”
He reportedly added that the decision is ‘very complicated’ – so, let’s break it down.
How do US marijuana laws work?
At a federal level, marijuana remains illegal in the US as per the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, however, many states have made their own rules for cannabis use.
As we mentioned earlier, it’s federally classified as a Schedule I drug – this means that federal law considers it to have a ‘high potential for abuse’ and ‘no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States’.
But, despite its federal classification, 24 states plus the District of Columbia have fully legalised weed, meanwhile others have opted to only allow it for medicinal purposes.
Cannabis legalisation in individual states can be done in a number of ways, ranging from fully illegal to legal for both medicinal and recreational use.
If you’re in a state that has completely legalised recreational marijuana and you’re 21 or older, you have the right to use cannabis products for your own personal enjoyment.
However, this doesn’t always mean it’s legal to purchase – confusing, I know.
For example, while it’s illegal to buy marijuana in Washington, DC, it’s legal for anyone 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of it and grow up to six marijuana plants in the district.
So essentially, it’s all down to the state you’re in and their specific regulations.
America’s cannabis laws can be a tricky subject to wrap your head around (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
What would happen if marijuana became a Schedule III drug?
If Trump were to go ahead and reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, this would be a pretty big change up and down America.
According to the US government’s website, Schedule III drugs are defined as drugs ‘with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence’ and their ‘abuse potential is less than Schedule I and Schedule II drugs’.
Some examples of Schedule III drugs are products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit, such as Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone.
Meanwhile, Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Some examples include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and as of right now, marijuana.
It’s important to note that the switch up would not make marijuana completely legal – it would just help ease restrictions and create more opportunities for medical uses and possible tax breaks for marijuana companies.
The Republican leader is said to be ‘looking at’ possibly switching marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug (Emilija Manevska/Getty Images)
Which US states is marijuana currently legal in?
States where marijuana is fully legal:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
States where marijuana is legal for medical purposes only:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia (CBD oil only)
- Hawaii
- Indiana (CBD oil only)
- Iowa (CBD oil only)
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Tennessee (CBD oil only)
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin (CBD oil only)
- Wyoming (CBD oil only)
Author: mscannabiz.com
MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.
Author: mscannabiz.com
MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.
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