Mississippi Bill Extending Medical Marijuana Certifications to 24 Months Sent to Governor
- The Mississippi Legislature passed House Bill 895, which would extend medical cannabis patient certification renewal from 12 to 24 months, allowing certifications and registry cards for resident patients to remain valid for two years.
- The bill removes the requirement for practitioners to see patients every six months after certification, though follow-up evaluations remain optional; it also restricts minor certifications to physicians and osteopathic doctors only.
- The legislation clarifies that dispensaries can sell topical marijuana products like creams and lotions, provided they are purchased from licensed processors and intended for external use.
- The measure prohibits state contracts related to the medical marijuana program from containing language that restricts vendors from assisting the state in running or implementing the program during the contract term, and it would take effect on July 1, 2026.
The Mississippi Legislature has sent a bill to Governor Reeves that would let medical cannabis patients go 24 months without renewing their certification, double the current limit. House Bill 895 was approved by the House today in a 106 to 3 vote, days after passing the Senate 33 to 19. Introduced in January by Representative Lee Yancey (R), the measure would allow medical marijuana patient certifications and state-issued registry cards for resident patients to remain valid for up to 24 months rather than 12. Registry cards for resident designated caregivers would remain valid for five years.
The legislation would also remove the requirement that a practitioner see a patient every six months after issuing a certification, while still allowing practitioners to request follow-up evaluations if they choose. In addition, the bill says practitioners would not need any qualifications beyond those already required under the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act in order to certify patients, and it would limit written certifications for minors to physicians and osteopathic doctors.
The bill would also make clear that dispensaries can sell topical marijuana products such as creams, lotions and balms if those items were purchased from a licensed processor and are meant to be applied to the body rather than eaten or swallowed.
In addition, the measure says state contracts tied to the medical marijuana program, including those involving software, hardware or related services, can’t contain language that blocks a company from helping the state run or carry out the program while the contract is active. In simple terms, that provision appears designed to ensure outside vendors hired for technical or operational support are not restricted from assisting with implementation and day-to-day functions during the life of the agreement.
If signed into law, the measure would take effect July 1, 2026.