{"id":374387,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:46","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-marijuana-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-03-06T16:12:25","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T21:12:25","slug":"mississippi-marijuana-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-marijuana-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Mississippi Marijuana Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mississippi Marijuana Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Medical marijuana is legal in Mississippi following the passing of SB 2095, which established the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program (MMCP). Recreational use remains illegal. The MMCP regulates the use, possession, and purchase of medical cannabis under strict conditions, managed by the Mississippi Department of Health. Understanding these regulations is essential for compliance and avoiding severe penalties for misuse or illegal possession.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Medical marijuana is legal in Mississippi, but it didn’t happen overnight. Despite partial decriminalization in 1978 and the easing of restrictions on CBD<\/a> (cannabidiol)<\/a> in 2014, it wasn’t until 2020 that Mississippi voters were able to pass a ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana with overwhelming numbers.<\/p>\r\n

Three-quarters of the voters opted for Initiative 65<\/a> over the much more restrictive Initiative 65A. But The will of Mississippians was thwarted as the Mississippi Supreme Court threw out both Initiative 65 and the entire ballot initiative process.<\/p>\r\n

The GOP-led Mississippi House and Senate, along with Gov. Tate Reeves, settled for a compromise by passing SB 2095<\/a> in February 2022. The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act created the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program (MMCP<\/a>), and sales of medical cannabis began in January 2023.<\/p>\r\n

While medical marijuana is legal in Mississippi, it’s limited in scope. Recreational cannabis remains illegal. Navigating the complex Mississippi marijuana laws can be tricky. Read on for a better understanding of how Mississippi cannabis laws work.<\/p>\r\n

Mississippi Marijuana Laws Overview<\/h2>\r\n

Mississippi’s cannabis regulations are somewhat restrictive and carry severe penalties. It’s important to keep in mind that:<\/p>\r\n