Mississippi Republican Governor Tate Reeves recently announced a significant investment in the state’s economy, revealing that a tech company plans to invest $10 billion to construct two data processing centers in central Mississippi, which would create approximately 1,000 jobs. This announcement was made during a news conference in Jackson on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
Governor Vetoes Medical Cannabis Legislation
In parallel developments, Governor Reeves vetoed two bills aimed at altering the state’s medical cannabis program. These bills were passed by the House in agreement with the Senate’s version but failed to gain the governor’s approval.
One of the vetoed bills, HB 1152, would have permitted terminally ill patients, who have exhausted other treatment options, to apply for the use of medical cannabis. Officially titled the “Right to Try Medical Cannabis Act,” this bill sought to assist patients suffering from conditions not included in the state’s approved list of qualifying ailments.
The process outlined in the legislation would have required patients to collaborate with their physicians to submit a petition for approval to the Mississippi State Department of Health. The State Health Officer, Dr. Daniel Edney, would hold sole discretion over the approval process.
Additionally, the bill included provisions to allow out-of-state residents or those who had been in Mississippi for less than 45 days to obtain a medical cannabis card through a licensed provider. Governor Reeves cited this out-of-state provision as a key reason for his veto.
Reeves expressed concern that while the original intent of HB 1152 was commendable, the amendments made during the legislative process altered its scope significantly. He quoted Dr. Edney, stating that the inclusion of out-of-state residents shifted the focus away from helping Mississippians with critical health needs.
Concerns Over Patient Safeguards
The second bill, HB 895, sought to modify requirements for licensed caregivers, extending the period for background checks and adjusting patient card validity. The House proposed extending background checks to five years, while the Senate reduced that period to two years. Currently, these checks are required annually.
Moreover, the bill aimed to extend the validity of medical cannabis patient cards from one year to two and eliminated the requirement for a six-month follow-up visit with medical practitioners. However, House Representative Lee Yancey indicated that practitioners would retain discretion in follow-up matters.
In his veto message, Governor Reeves raised concerns about the potential impact of HB 895 on patient safety and regulatory integrity, emphasizing that removing the six-month follow-up visit, along with increasing the THC potency allowance, could undermine essential safeguards in the medical cannabis program.
Reeves concluded that maintaining the mandatory six-month check-ups and annual caregiver background checks are critical for ensuring that medical marijuana is not diverted for recreational use, which is a priority for the Mississippi Department of Health.
