Meet With a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Mississippi

The Status of Cannabis Legalization in Mississippi

Beginning July 1, 2024, Mississippi medical cannabis patients will be able to pick up their medicine once a month rather than every seven days. This change benefits those living in rural parts of the state who have to travel long distances once a week to get their medical marijuana. Beginning in July, these patients will only have to make this trip once a month. 

Mississippi officially legalized medical cannabis in January 2o22. The state began accepting applications for medical cards in February 2022, and the first dispensary sale was made in Brookhaven, Mississippi in January 2023. While the program is still largely in its infancy, it has already generated more than $15 million in sales.

In September 2023, the government moved to update some of the regulations surrounding the medical card process. These updates targeted the card renewal process as well as changing the process for out-of-state residents. Additionally, changes were made regarding advertising for both medical providers and dispensaries.

All purchases of medical cannabis are registered in the Mississippi Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) to ensure that patients don’t purchase more than the legal limit each day.

How to get a Medical Marijuana Card in Mississippi

To receive a medical marijuana card in Mississippi, you must provide a few documents first.

You’ll need a valid ID, written certification of a qualifying medical condition, and to be over 18 years of age. You cannot hold a CDL license or be a bus driver, law enforcement personnel, or a firefighter.

Minors under the age of 18 can only qualify for the medical cannabis program with parental or guardian consent. Additionally, parents and guardians are responsible for controlling the administration of cannabis as well as its dosage. Minor patients are unable to enter a dispensary without a parent or guardian present.

The medical cannabis card application fee is $25 due to the Mississippi State Department of Health for the initial application and $25 for every renewal. Patients who are considered disabled veterans or disabled first responders who have documentation noting them as such may apply for the application fee to be waived.

Caregiver Rules

Cardholders can designate a caregiver to help them with getting their medical cannabis from a cannabis business. If you need more than one caregiver, you must submit information documenting that more caregivers are needed due to the patient’s age or medical condition. 

According to the MSDOH, caregivers must be 21 or older unless they are the parent or guardian of a Mississippi medical marijuana patient who is a minor. Caregivers also may not have certain prior felonies or convictions. Felonies and convictions that can disqualify you from becoming a caregiver include:

•  A conviction for a crime of violence according to MS law.
• A conviction for a crime that is defined as violent by law in the jurisdiction that the offense was committed in.
• A conviction or felony for violating any federal or state substances law including any probation, incarceration, or supervised release within the past five years.
•  Though these are not currently detailed out, in most states this usually includes drug possession or distribution charges. Caregivers can assist no more than five patients at a time unless the caregiver works at a health facility or similar institution that provides care to patients.

A caregiver application fee will be applied and cost $25 a year. The background check that is part of the requirements for a caretaker will cost the applicant $37.

Qualifying Conditions

The qualifying conditions that are approved for medical cannabis treatments in Mississippi include:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Autism
• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Chronic pain (refractory)
• Crohn’s disease
• Diabetic/peripheral neuropathy
• Dementia-related agitation
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis
• HIV/AIDS
• Huntington’s disease
• Muscular dystrophy
• Nausea
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Seizures
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms
• Sickle cell disease
• Spastic quadriplegia
• Spinal cord disease
• Ulcerative colitis

Potency Restrictions

Cannabis flower must not exceed 30% of THC levels, and tinctures, oils, and concentrates may not exceed 60% THC. Additionally, all cannabis products from a medical cannabis establishment must have a “notice of harm” marked on the packaging.

Possession & Purchase Limits

Possession restrictions and purchase limits in Mississippi are calculated based on Medical Cannabis Equivalency Units (MCEUs) instead of measurements such as grams and ounces. You may not possess more than 28 MCEUs of cannabis or cannabis-based products at a time. This is equal to 98 grams, which is less than 3.5 ounces of dried marijuana flower.

Essentially, you can purchase in a day up to 3.5 grams of flower, one 100mg THC-infused product, or one product containing 1 gram of cannabis concentrates. Additionally, you are restricted to the following purchase guidelines:

• Patients cannot purchase more than six MCEUs in a week (which is approximately 21 grams, or less than ¾ of an ounce of dried flower)
• Patients cannot purchase more than 24 MCEUs in a week (which is approximately 84 grams, or less than three ounces of dried flower)
• Patients cannot purchase more than 24 MCEUs in a week (which is approximately 84 grams, or less than three ounces of dried flower)

In addition to possession and purchase limits, the following limitations also apply to medical marijuana program patients:

• Patients cannot smoke or vaporize in vehicles or public places.
• You may not drive, operate a boat, train, or aircraft, or undertake any task that would be negligent or entail professional malpractice while under the influence of cannabis.

Landlords are not prohibited from banning tenants from using medical cannabis at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Places to Visit in MS After Enjoying Your Medicine

Mississippi, a fun state name to learn to spell, has even more adventure within its nearly 50,000 square miles of land and water. The Deep South State, bordered by Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, and the Gulf of Mexico, is most famous for its river, titled after the region, and its Civil War history as a cotton-producing region. Locals and visitors frequently stop at the many monuments of the past and see other notable sights, including the place where Elvis Presley was born. Beyond the mainland is the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which touches the tip of Florida’s Santa Rosa Island. For those who need to take a trip to pick up CBD oil, stopping at any of the below best places in Mississippi will surely make the trip much more fun.

Ole Miss

Famous for football and life changing stories like the film The Blind Side, “Ole Miss” is the state university where dreams are born. The Oxford-based university touts Civil War cemeteries and hiking trails through Bailey’s Wood. The historic downtown square is where locals and visitors alike gather for shopping, food and entertainment. While in town, stopping at the University of Mississippi Museum is a must do if time permits.

Elvis Presley’s Birthplace

Born in Tupelo, the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presely, will forever be remembered at his birthplace home. Completely preserved, the small home depicts Presley’s early life. The chapel that Presley grew up in was relocated to the property so patrons can peruse the pews that Presely praised the Lord in, being inspired to become one of the greatest singers of all time.

Natchez Trace Parkway

Scenic lookouts and historic landmarks cover miles of Natchez Parkway, the perfect route for a drive through Mississippi. For those who like to use different modes of transportation rather than ride in a vehicle, a bicycle route is available so patrons can exercise and sight ee simultaneously. The 444-mile parkway named after the Native American tribe of the Natchez also hosts hiking, camping, and horseback riding for those who would like to step out of the car for a few hours or overnight.