Medical Marijuana in Mississippi
Medical Marijuana in Mississippi
Are you interested in Medical Marijuana in Mississippi? We have all the information you need to know.
Cannabis in Mississippi, United States, is illegal for recreational and medical purposes, but the use of low-THC/high-CBD products is allowed for severe seizure disorders under 2014 legislation. The possession of small amounts was decriminalized in 1978.
While possession of small amounts is indeed decriminalized, it is still a misdemeanor and only decriminalized in the sense that one will not be jailed for a first offense. Under the Mississippi Code of 1979, possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor, with the first offense punishable by jail time up to 90 days and a $250.00 fine.[1] However, probation is always given in lieu of a jail sentence following the 1978 decriminalization. One will likely be brought to jail when charged, but, at the discretion of the arresting officer, this can be avoided by both having acceptable identification and promising to appear in court to answer the charge. Subsequent offenses require a minimum 5 days in jail and graduating scale of fines. Possession of paraphernalia will result in up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.00.[2] Again, probation is given instead of the jail sentence, and since 1978 there has never been a person sentenced to jail time for possession of paraphernalia in Mississippi. Simultaneous possession of under 30 grams and paraphernalia is punishable only with a possession of marijuana charge. In practice, if found with under 30 grams of marijuana, it is common to receive a paraphernalia charge for the container it was in, instead of a possession charge. This is done to save the state from having to pay testing costs for the marijuana.[3]
Possession of between one and 30 grams kept in a vehicle is punishable of a fine up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail. This only applies to areas in the vehicle occupied by passengers and does not apply to a[4] trunk. Additionally, any conviction will result in a 6 month suspension of driving privileges.[5]
Possession of larger amounts are felonies, as is sale, cultivation and trafficking.[6] For example, the sale of over 10 pounds of marijuana carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole.[7] However, the penalty can be reduced if the person charged provides information on their supplier or other relevant persons to state authorities. Penalties for possession of hash and concentrates is more severe than for marijuana, with any amount greater than 0.1 grams a felony with mandatory sentencing on a graduating scale. First time possession of up to .1 grams can be punished as either a misdemeanor or a felony, at the discretion of the presiding judge.[8] Possession of more than .1 gram but less than 2 grams carries a mandatory 2 years in jail. Trafficking any amount of hash or concentrates carries a mandatory 30 years in the state penitentiary. [9]
Medical Marijuana in Mississippi on the 2020 Ballot
11/3/20 - Mississippi voters approved a robust medical cannabis ballot over a restrictive alternative placed on the ballot by lawmakers.
The Mississippi Medical Marijuana Amendment is on the ballot in Mississippi as an indirect initiated constitutional amendment on November 3, 2020.
A YES vote supports establishing a medical marijuana program in Mississippi for individuals with a debilitating medical condition.
A NO vote opposes establishing a medical marijuana program in Mississippi for individuals with a debilitating medical condition.
The amendment qualified for the ballot and was filed with the Mississippi State Legislature on January 7, 2020. Proponents of the measure submitted more than 214,000 signatures in September, of which, 105,686 were found to be valid. To qualify for the ballot, 86,185 valid signatures were required.[1]
We will continue to monitor the current laws and legislation for Medical Marijuana in Mississippi.
Information from Wikipedia and Ballotpedia.
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If you are ready to start your journey with Medical Marijuana in Mississippi, we are here to help you.
Connect with our MMJ Doctors in Mississippi
With a growing roster of Doctors who can prescribe cannabis all over Mississippi, CalmEffect is ready to help. Learn how you can get your medical card in Mississippi by filling out the form on this page.
Our 3-Step Doctor Process Works
By following these steps, if your doctor recommends medical marijuana as a solution for your condition and unique symptoms, you'll be eligible for a medical marijuana card with access to our growing roster of dispensaries across the entire state. Mail-order and walk ins are available.
Stay Updated with CalmEffect, Mississippi!
12/17/20 - The Mississippi State Department of Health filed an amicus brief supporting a mayor's lawsuit that seeks to overturn the state's voter-approved medical cannabis ballot measure.
12/4/20 - Mississippi's attorney general issued a warning about "scams" from companies claiming to be able to pre-register medical cannabis patients.
11/18/20 - The Mississippi Supreme Court set deadlines for filings in a mayor's lawsuit challenging the state's voter-approved medical cannabis ballot measure.
11/3/20 - Medical Marijuana in Mississippi MILESTONE - Mississippi voters approved a robust medical cannabis ballot over a restrictive alternative placed on the ballot by lawmakers.
10/28/20 - The city of Madison, Mississippi is asking the state Supreme Court to block the medical cannabis ballot measures that voters are set to decide on next week. It is the latest in a string of last-minute legal challenges to cannabis initiatives in several states.
10/22/20 - The Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police is urging voters to reject the state's activist-driven medical cannabis ballot measure.
10/15/20 - Mississippi Democratic congressional candidate Antonia Eliason tweeted, "Even with my academic hat on, I'm writing about things that are key to my political campaign. The way we look at drugs domestically and internationally is problematic and we need to legalize medical cannabis as a tiny first step. Please vote for Initiative 65 (NOT 65A) on Nov. 3."
Also, Mississippi's secretary of state published a brochure with pro and con arguments on the state's medical cannabis ballot measures.
10/14/20 - Mississippi's secretary of state hosted the final in a series of public hearings on the state's medical cannabis ballot measures.
10/13/20 - Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed a bill allowing federally approved CBD drugs to be used in the state, and in doing so took the opportunity to slam broader marijuana reform as voters prepare to decide on two competing medical cannabis ballot measures.
10/1/20 - Mississippi's secretary of state host the first in a series of public hearings on the state's medical cannabis ballot measures.
9/30/20 - Mississippi's secretary of state will host the first in a series of public hearings on the state's medical cannabis ballot measures on Wednesday.
9/28/20 - Mississippi Democratic congressional candidate Antonia Eliason tweeted, "I want to see cannabis legalized recreationally and medically at a federal level. But right now, in Mississippi, we have a chance to take the first step and legalize medical marijuana. Vote for Initiative 65 NOT for Initiative 65A."
9/23/20 - Mississippi Democratic congressional candidate Antonia Eliason tweeted, "Opposition to Initiative 65 is pure fear-mongering. Vote to legalize medical marijuana for those who need it - vote for 65 NOT for 65A, which would limit it to terminally ill patients."
9/22/20 - The Mississippi campaign to legalize medical cannabis announced endorsements from prominent Republicans.
9/18/20 - Mississippi's agriculture commissioner spoke about why he opposes a medical cannabis ballot measure.
9/9/20 - Former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) authored an op-ed urging voters to reject a medical cannabis ballot measure.
9/3/20 - A newly released poll shows that Mississippi voters strongly support medical cannabis and are poised to approve an activist-driven initiative in November over a competing, more restrictive one placed on the ballot by lawmakers. Also, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R), asked about the case of a woman serving a life sentence for cannabis, said, "“I don’t think that two ounces of marijuana should justify a lifelong sentence. However, I will also tell you that someone who is convicted of three different felonies, that is a problem.”
9/2/20 - Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) said he's not considering pardoning a woman serving a life sentence for marijuana.
9/1/20 - Mississippi's Senate president pro tem said it is possible but unlikely that the legislature would approve a medical cannabis bill ahead of the November election.
8/31/20 - Mississippi's secretary of state will hold public hearings across the state on a medical cannabis ballot measure.
8/27/20 - A Mississippi coalition of law enforcement, medical professionals, clergy and others held a press conference to oppose a medical cannabis ballot measure on the state's ballot.
7/29/20 - Mississippi Democratic congressional candidate Antonia Eliason tweeted, "I believe that both medical and recreational marijuana should be legalized, and strongly support Mississippi taking the first step, to legalize medical marijuana. Vote for Initiative 65 in November to legalize medical marijuana, NOT for Initiative 65A."
7/28/20 - A Mississippi Board of Health official, state representative and local sheriff urged voters to defeat a medical cannabis ballot measure.
6/16/20 - The Mississippi House of Representatives approved a hemp bill.
6/9/20 - The Mississippi Senate Rules Committee approved a resolution that will allow lawmakers to file legislation spelling out the details of a medical cannabis measure they placed on the November ballot to compete with a more comprehensive proposal qualified by activists.
3/13/20 - Mississippi voters will see two medical cannabis questions on their November ballot after the Senate approved a House-passed resolution for a measure to compete with a more far-reaching one that activists collected sufficient signatures to qualify.
3/12/20 - The Mississippi Senate Constitution Committee approved a House-passed resolution to place a competing medical cannabis question on the ballot next to an activist-driven one.
1/13/20 - The Mississippi State Board of Health followed up its resolution opposing a medical cannabis ballot measure with a letter outlining members' concerns.
1/9/20 - Mississippi's secretary of state announced that activists collected more than enough signatures to qualify a medical cannabis initiative for the 2020 ballot.
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