Jackson, MS: Republican Governor Tate Reeves has vetoed legislation (House Bill 1152: The Right to Try Medical Cannabis Act) that aimed to give physicians more leeway in recommending medical cannabis to their patients.
The proposed measure intended to establish a process allowing practitioners to petition state officials for access to medical cannabis for patients with non-qualifying conditions on an individual basis. Additionally, the bill sought to permit eligible out-of-state patients to participate in Mississippi’s medical cannabis access program.
Governor’s Veto Message
In his veto message, Governor Reeves expressed concerns that the provision allowing out-of-state participation “extended the ‘right to try medical cannabis’ to every person on the planet.”
Furthermore, Governor Reeves also vetoed a separate bill (House Bill 895) aimed at prolonging the validity period of a practitioner’s medical cannabis recommendation and lifting THC potency restrictions on cannabis tinctures, among other amendments. The Governor contended that the bill aimed “to erode important safeguards… to minimize the potential diversion of medical marijuana for recreational purposes.”
Advocacy and Legislative Support
On Monday, advocates convened at the state capitol, urging lawmakers to overturn the Governor’s vetoes. Both measures had previously received approval from lawmakers exceeding the two-thirds majority required to override a veto.
Mississippi lawmakers legalized medical cannabis access in 2022, and nearly 60,000 patients are currently enrolled in the state-sponsored access program. For ongoing advocacy efforts, NORML has issued an action alert encouraging lawmakers to override the Governor’s veto, available in their Take Action Center.
