Mississippi becomes the 37th U.S. state to provide access to medical cannabis

Even though it took more than one to Mississippi lawmakers It took less than a week to reach an agreement on the text, and the governor signed the law on Wednesday, February 2. The law takes effect immediately, but it could be several months before the first cannabis dispensary opens its doors.

«There is no doubt that citizens of our state would be much better off if they had access to medically prescribed doses of cannabis,» Republican Governor Tate Reeves wrote in a statement posted on Twitter.

My statement on the medical marijuana bill: pic.twitter.com/VTpXbfMv6C

— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) February 2, 2022

In the same message, the governor took the opportunity to criticize efforts to legalize recreational marijuana for adults: «There are also those who really want a recreational marijuana program that could lead to more people smoking and fewer people working, with all the societal and family ills that entails.» My goal from the very first day of my inauguration has been to legalize [medical cannabis] and to do everything in my power to minimize and mitigate—knowing full well that it is impossible to eliminate—the risks associated with it.”

Mississippi thus becomes the 37th U.S. state to legalize medical cannabis, in more than 4 territories.

«For all the people who are affected in one way or another by a loved one or someone they know who benefits from medical cannabis, it restores their quality of life,» said Ken Newburger, executive director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association, a group that lobbied for legalization.

Jax James, NORML's national policy director, explains, however, the limitations of the current law.

«We remain concerned that lawmakers have seen fit to impose unnecessary taxes on cannabis products, that patients are not allowed to grow limited quantities of cannabis at home for personal use, and that people suffering from chronic pain can only access cannabis products after using more dangerous and addictive substances such as opioids,» she said.

A difficult journey

In November 2020, the Voters in Mississippi have decided between two separate ballot measures aimed at legalizing access to medical cannabis. 73% of voters supported the citizens’ initiative. However, Republican lawmakers then challenged the legitimacy of the state’s citizens’ initiative process. The members of the Supreme Court ultimately upheld this challenge—a decision that invalidated the 2020 vote and barred citizens from placing future measures on the ballot.

Under the new law, state regulators have 60 days after enactment to begin issuing registry ID cards to eligible patients. Officials must begin issuing licenses to dispensaries within 150 days.

The law allows eligible patients to purchase up to 3.5 grams of cannabis flower or up to 1 gram of cannabis concentrate per day from licensed dispensaries. Patients may not purchase more than three ounces (84 grams) of cannabis flower per month. Flower will be limited to 30 % of THC, while concentrated products will be limited to 60 % of THC. The measure does not limit the number of licensed dispensaries that may be operating at any given time. Cannabis purchases will be subject to the state sales tax of 7 % and an additional excise tax of 5 %.