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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