Most of the three dozen bills aimed at expanding marijuana access in Mississippi did not advance during this legislative session. However, two significant bills have passed and are now awaiting the governor’s signature. These measures would eliminate potency caps on cannabis oils and remove the requirement for follow-up doctor appointments for patients using medical marijuana. Additionally, a “Right to Try” act has been passed, allowing doctors to petition for patients outside the qualifying conditions list to gain access to medical marijuana.
The ambition for broader medical marijuana legislation this session faced substantial setbacks. Although lawmakers proposed over thirty bills across both chambers, the majority, including all attempts to legalize recreational marijuana, did not progress beyond committee discussions. Only three bills—originating in the House—advanced to the Senate, and of those, two have now survived the Senate public health committee.
Key Changes for Medical Marijuana Patients
If signed by Governor Tate Reeves, changes to the state’s medical marijuana program could take effect in July. Currently, patients are mandated to have a follow-up appointment with the physician who issued their medical marijuana certificate. One of the passed bills would eliminate this state-level requirement, allowing the decision to be at the doctor’s discretion. The same bill also aims to lift the existing potency cap on cannabis oils, currently set at 60%. Representative Lee Yancey, the bill’s sponsor, indicated that stronger doses may enable patients to consume less medical marijuana while achieving the desired effects. This provision encountered minimal opposition during legislative discussions.
Another significant amendment proposed in Yancey’s bill is the extension of caregiver card validity from one year to two years. Caregivers are individuals certified to purchase, transport, and administer marijuana to patients and must currently renew their certifications annually.
The “Right to Try” act, also spearheaded by Yancey, permits doctors to apply for certain patients to attempt medical marijuana treatments, even if they are not on the qualifying conditions list. Patients must have a diagnosis within one of the approximately two dozen qualifying conditions, which include serious illnesses such as late-stage cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, alongside non-fatal conditions like autism and PTSD. This bill enables a collaborative relationship between patients and physicians, allowing doctors to petition state health officials for access to medical cannabis.
Legislation That Did Not Advance
Despite some progress, a number of marijuana-related bills did not fare well during the session. Proposals aimed at reforming marijuana-related criminal justice issues, including making minor possession a civil offense, were rejected early on. A notable medical marijuana bill, the “Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act,” which sought to permit terminally ill patients to consume marijuana in hospitals, faced challenges in the Senate. Although it garnered substantial support in the House, senators raised concerns that such a move could infringe on hospital autonomy and complicate medication interactions for patients nearing the end of life. Ultimately, this bill was voted down.
Yancey’s initial proposal contained broader provisions before being amended to its current form. The adjustments included scaling back the validity periods for caregiver and patient cards before receiving legislative approval. As it stands, the two bills that passed—one eliminating the follow-up appointment requirement and the “Right to Try” act—represent the only significant advancements for marijuana legislation in Mississippi this session.
Bea Anhuci reports for the Clarion Ledger, focusing on developments in Mississippi’s medical marijuana landscape.
