Mississippi’s Medical Cannabis Scene: 2025


Mississippi’s medical cannabis program, now in its third year since legalization, is evolving with incremental changes and growing pains. 

The 2025 legislative session brought tweaks to the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act (MMCA), a failed hemp bill, and promising growth in sales, signaling a state still finding its footing in the cannabis industry. 

Here’s a roundup of the latest developments, backed by recent news, to keep you in the loop on what’s happening and what’s at stake.


Key Legislative Changes to the MMCA:

The 2025 session didn’t deliver sweeping reforms, but it refined how medical cannabis is measured and regulated. Starting July 1, 2025, the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Equivalency Unit (MMCEU) for concentrates and infused products will shift to a new standard: one unit of MMCEU for concentrates will equal one gram of total THC in a medical cannabis concentrate. This adjustment aims to streamline dosing and ensure consistency for patients and dispensaries.

While no major overhauls occurred, these tweaks reflect ongoing efforts to fine-tune a program that’s still young. The absence of “watershed changes” suggests Mississippi is taking a cautious approach, prioritizing stability over rapid expansion.


The Hemp Bill That Didn’t Make It:

A proposed bill to regulate consumable hemp products failed to pass in 2025, leaving a gap in oversight for this growing market. The bill’s failure highlights the state’s struggle to balance regulation with industry growth, especially as hemp-derived products like CBD and delta-8 THC gain popularity. 

This setback could prompt renewed efforts in future sessions, possibly during the anticipated special session to address the state budget.


Sales Are Up, But Businesses Want More:

The Mississippi Department of Revenue’s 3rd Quarterly Retail Sales Report for Fiscal Year 2025 shows medical cannabis sales have surged by 61% compared to the same period in 2024, totaling an additional $32,347,752

While this growth is encouraging for a program less than three years old, businesses are hungry for even higher numbers. The upward trend suggests increasing patient access and market acceptance, but it also underscores the need for policies to sustain and accelerate this momentum.


Tribal Marijuana Legalization on the Horizon?

In a separate but significant development, a Mississippi Indian tribe is moving toward legalizing marijuana within its territory. 

The tribe has scheduled hearings ahead of a vote next month to decriminalize and regulate the possession, production, and distribution of marijuana. This could create a unique framework for cannabis within tribal lands, potentially influencing state-level discussions.


A Look Back: The Recreational Cannabis Roadblock:

While medical cannabis progresses, recreational legalization remains stalled. In 2020, Mississippi voters approved a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana, but the state’s Supreme Court overturned it in 2021, citing a technicality in the ballot initiative process. 

This “incredibly stupid rule,” as some have called it, invalidated the voter-approved measure, leaving advocates frustrated and the state without a recreational framework.

What’s Next for Mississippi Cannabis?

Mississippi’s medical cannabis program is at a crossroads. The 61% sales growth and MMCEU adjustments show progress, but the failed hemp bill and lack of recreational legalization highlight challenges. 

The anticipated special legislative session, driven by the state’s failure to pass a budget, could provide an opportunity to revisit cannabis-related policies. Meanwhile, the tribal vote on marijuana legalization could set a precedent, potentially pressuring state lawmakers to act.

For patients, businesses, and advocates, the message is clear: Mississippi’s cannabis landscape is improving, but there’s work to be done. Stay tuned for updates as the state navigates this budding industry.


Sources: National Law Review, Mississippi Department of Revenue, posts on X

  

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