As frozen precipitation continues to thaw across northern Mississippi, the state’s legislature is advancing in its current session. During a webinar on January 14, Spencer Ritchie, a Mississippi government affairs colleague, discussed the expected cannabis-related legislation. Now, one month into the session and shortly after the committee bill deadline, several of the proposed bills mentioned are still in play and moving toward passage. Furthermore, legislative measures appear to be on track to permit clinical trials for ibogaine, which was previously highlighted as a potential initiative back in August 2025.
Right To Try (HB 1152)
Representative Lee Yancey’s HB 1152, which passed the House on February 5, will enable a patient’s medical provider to petition the Mississippi Department of Health for approval in using medical cannabis for patients with a “nonqualifying debilitating or terminal illness.” This term is defined as an illness that (a) is chronic, progressive, severely disabling, or terminal; and (b) is not explicitly listed as a qualifying condition under the Medical Cannabis Act. The bill establishes a structured eligibility and petition process for medical providers, with the state health officer, currently Dr. Daniel Edney, tasked with reviewing proposals and making approval decisions. Importantly, the bill offers civil, criminal, and administrative liability protections for providers acting in good faith during the petition process.
Elimination of THC Potency Limit (SB 895)
Yancey’s HB 895, which passed the House on February 4, seeks to remove the THC potency cap currently in place for cannabis tinctures, oils, and concentrates, thereby eliminating the existing 60% total THC limit. However, cannabis flower will still need to maintain a THC content of no more than 30%.
Patient Card and Caregiver Provisions (HB 895)
This bill also extends the validity period for a practitioner’s certification stating a patient has a qualifying medical condition to 24 months, along with deadline extensions for registered patients to renew their identification cards, which currently occurs annually. Additionally, practitioner authority to mandate follow-up visits prior to the 24-month mark remains intact, as does the extension of caregiver identification card validity to five years.
Access for Terminally Ill Patients (HB 1034)
Rep. Kevin Felsher’s HB 1034, passed on February 4, requires select healthcare facilities to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis, including hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Notably, chemical dependency recovery hospitals and emergency departments are excluded during emergency care. The bill defines “terminally ill” based on a prognosis of one year or less and outlines specific usage parameters.
Designated Caregiver Access (HB 513)
Rep. Becky Currie’s HB 1711, which passed the Public Health and Human Services Committee on February 3, will enable registered caregivers to obtain medical cannabis on behalf of qualifying patients without their presence. Additionally, caregivers will be required to undergo new background checks only once every five years.
Revenue Allocation for the Medical Cannabis Program (HB 513)
Rep. Sam Creekmore’s HB 513, approved by two committees on January 29, mandates that 12.5% of all fees and tax revenues generated under the medical cannabis act be allocated to the Mississippi Public Health Trust Fund. This provision will be in effect until July 1, 2030, after which funds will revert to the general fund.
Ibogaine Clinical Trial Legislation (HB 314)
Creekmore’s HB 314, which passed the House on January 21 and was sent to the Senate on January 27, aims to set up a consortium for conducting clinical trials with ibogaine. This consortium will require collaboration between a drug developer, a higher education institution, and a hospital, with proposals submitted to the Department of Health detailing the consortium’s activities. Funding for the operation will be appropriated directly by the legislature.
Restoration of Ballot Initiative Process (SCR 518)
This legislative session also brings a proposal to revive Mississippi’s ballot initiative process, dismantled by the Mississippi Supreme Court in 2021. Under SCR 518, Senator Jeremy England proposes a new framework allowing voters to propose initiatives, requiring signatures from 10% of active registered voters (about 170,000) for ballot placement. The proposal includes stipulations regarding signature distribution from congressional districts and dictates voting requirements based on potential costs to the state.
As the Mississippi Legislature progresses through the 2026 session, numerous pieces of cannabis and natural medicine legislation are up for consideration. Ongoing monitoring will be essential to understanding how these bills evolve and the broader implications for the cannabis industry in Mississippi.