Mississippi Expands Medical Cannabis Program and Research Capabilities

LOS ANGELES- In 2022, Mississippi passed a restrictive medical cannabis program. Two new bills aimed at enhancing patient access to cannabis care and expanding research capabilities will take effect on July 1.

Senate Bill 2857: Improved Patient Access

Senate Bill 2857 focuses on improving patient access by allowing them to possess a 30-day supply of cannabis, an increase from the previous 7-day limit. This change significantly increases the amount of cannabis products patients are permitted to purchase and possess.

“This change will have a positive impact on patients who are mobility-impaired or who live quite some distance from a dispensary location,” says Henry Crisler, executive director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association. “It will also align medical cannabis with other medications that are dispensed in 30-day supplies.”

Under the current system, possession and purchase limits for medical cannabis are calculated based on “Medical Cannabis Equivalency Units” (MCEUs). One MCEU equals 3.5 grams of flower, up to 100 mg of THC in infused products, or up to one gram of concentrate. Patients are currently limited to purchasing six MCEUs per week (21 grams) and no more than 24 MCEUs per month (three ounces). The new bill allows patients to possess a 30-day supply, aligning cannabis with other medications dispensed in similar timeframes.

Senate Bill 2888: Cannabis Research Program

Senate Bill 2888 establishes the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Research Program, permitting the use of state, federal, and private funds for research on the efficacy and potential health effects of various cannabis delivery methods, including vaporizing, ingesting, topical application, and combustion.

Senator Kevin Blackwell, who supports the bill, explains, “This sets up a research facility that’ll actually be able to take up cohorts of patients with similar disease structures, try to identify what therapies they’ve been on, the effectiveness of those, so that eventually down the road we can set parameters for recommendations of cannabis for patients with certain illnesses.”

Impact and Future Developments

These legislative changes mark a significant step forward for medical cannabis patients in Mississippi, offering greater accessibility and expanding scientific understanding of cannabis treatments. The increased possession limits and the establishment of a dedicated research program highlight the state’s commitment to improving patient care and advancing medical knowledge.

As these bills take effect, patients and researchers alike can look forward to improved access to cannabis and a better understanding of its medical applications, potentially paving the way for more informed and effective treatments in the future.