State Regulations
Is Cannabis Legal in Mississippi?
In the state of Mississippi, it is only legal to possess and use cannabis for medicinal purposes. Recreational cannabis remains illegal.
HB1231. “Harper Grace's Act” was signed into law by, Governor Phil Bryant in April 2014 via a 112-6 house vote and a 49-0 Senate vote. This law allows “processed cannabis plant extract, oil or resin that contains more than fifteen percent (15%) cannabidiol (CBD) or a dilution of the resin that contains at least fifty (50) milligrams of cannabidiol per milliliter, but not more than one-half of one percent (.5%) of tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]. CBD oil may only be obtained by the order of a physician who is licensed to practice in Mississippi. Administering CBD oil to a patient must be done by or under the direction or direct supervision of a physician. The CBD oil must be obtained from or tested by the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi and dispensed by the Department of Pharmacy Services at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.”
On November 3, 2020, Measure 65 was voted in by the public effectively legalizing medical cannabis in the state but was later overturned by the Mississippi’s Supreme Court 6–3. As a follow-up to this bill, Senate Bill 2095 was finally signed into law on February 2, 2022, allowing for less strict medical cannabis measures.
One main qualifier for the medical program in Mississippi is that one has to be suffering from a “debilitating medical condition” whose status has been verified by a licensed physician.
These “Debilitating medical conditions,” include:
- Cancer
- Parkinson's disease
- Huntington's disease
- Muscular dystrophy
- Glaucoma
- Spastic quadriplegia
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis
- ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
- Crohn's disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Sickle-cell anemia
- Alzheimer's disease
- Agitation of dementias
- PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Autism
- Pain refractory necessitating opioid management
- Diabetic/peripheral neuropathy
- Spinal cord severe injury or disease
It also makes an allowance for people suffering from terminal, chronic, or debilitating medical conditions or diseases which cause any of the following:
- Cachexia/wasting syndrome
- Chronic pain
- Intractable or Severe nausea
- Seizures
- Persistent or Severe muscle spasms
This act also made an allowance for “any other serious medical condition or its treatment added by the Mississippi Department of Health.”
In Mississippi recreational marijuana is decriminalized for first offenders for 30 g (1.1oz) and below. Only licensed cultivators can grow cannabis in this state and transportation is only allowed for medical cannabis.
