It has been just over a year since Mississippi legalized medical marijuana, yet many residents have lingering questions regarding the law and its implementation. This article breaks down the essentials of Mississippi’s medical marijuana framework.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana Use
The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program delineates several qualifying conditions for medical marijuana use, including:
- Cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Muscular dystrophy
- Glaucoma
- Spastic quadriplegia
- Positive status for HIV
- AIDS
- Hepatitis
- ALS
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Sickle-cell anemia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Agitation of dementia
- PTSD
- Autism
- Pain resistant to appropriate opioid management
- Diabetic/peripheral neuropathy
- Spinal cord disease or severe injury
Additionally, individuals with chronic terminal or debilitating medical conditions may qualify if their treatment induces one or more of the following:
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Chronic pain
- Severe or intractable nausea
- Seizures
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms, such as those associated with multiple sclerosis
Application Process for a Medical Marijuana Card
All applications for a Mississippi medical marijuana card must be submitted online. According to Kris Jones, director of the Medical Cannabis Program, certification by a registered practitioner is mandatory for participation in the program. A dedicated portal has been established for individuals with qualifying conditions to register. Users must create a username and password before completing the application, which requires written certification from a registered health practitioner.
Where to Purchase Medical Cannabis
While numerous cities and counties in Mississippi have opted out of the medical cannabis program, residents in those areas can still buy and use products, albeit with longer travel distances. In locations that opted in, medical dispensaries are available, and the Department of Revenue has a searchable list of permitted businesses. As of early this year, there were 32 local businesses authorized to sell medical marijuana.
Purchase Limits for Qualifying Patients
Patients with qualifying conditions may purchase up to three ounces of medical marijuana per month, or 3.5 grams per day. Although voters initially approved a proposal allowing up to five ounces monthly in November 2020, the final legislative bill capped daily purchases at 3.5 grams, translating to approximately three ounces monthly.
Understanding MMCEUs
The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Equivalency Unit (MMCEU) system defines legal limits for medical cannabis use. A cardholder is limited to 24 MMCEUs per month, with one MMCEU equating to 3.5 grams of cannabis flower, one gram of cannabis concentrate, or 100 milligrams of THC-infused products.
Allowed Types of Cannabis Products
Patients have access to various forms of cannabis, including smokeable, tinctures, edibles, and topicals. Mississippi enforces THC potency limits: raw flower must contain no more than 30% THC, while extracted materials, tinctures, and edibles can contain up to 60% THC. All cannabis products must be cultivated, manufactured, tested, and tracked within the state.
Cost of Medical Marijuana Card and Fees
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) imposes application fees for both practitioners and patients. The fees are as follows:
- Registry Identification card: $25
- Designated caregiver registry identification card: $25
- Designated caregiver criminal background check: $37
- Renewal or replacement fee for cards: $25
- Nonresident card: $75
- Application for a qualifying patient registry identification card for Medicaid participants: $15
- Renewal fee for a Medicaid participant’s card: $15
- Application fee for disabled veterans or disabled first responders: Free
Workplace Considerations for Medical Cannabis Users
It is crucial for anyone prescribed medical cannabis to recognize that Mississippi is an “at-will” state, meaning employers have the right to terminate employees without cause. Furthermore, employers are not obligated to cover medical cannabis under health insurance plans.
