Cannabis Legalization and Regulation in Mississippi
Mississippi has not legalized adult-use cannabis. Recreational possession, sale, and cultivation remain illegal under state law, with penalties ranging from fines to criminal charges depending on the amount.
Medical cannabis was legalized in February 2022 through the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act. Qualified patients with a physician’s certification may possess up to 3.5 grams of flower, 1 gram of concentrate, or 100 milligrams of THC-infused products per day, not to exceed 3 ounces of flower-equivalent per month. Patients must register with the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program to access dispensaries. Home cultivation is not permitted.
The program is overseen by multiple state agencies: the Mississippi State Department of Health regulates patients, practitioners, cultivators, processors, and testing labs; the Mississippi Department of Revenue regulates dispensaries; and the Department of Agriculture and Commerce oversees hemp cultivation. Licensed medical cannabis businesses must comply with strict requirements for testing, labeling, security, and product tracking.
Hemp and hemp-derived CBD products are legal if they contain no more than 0.3% THC. Intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as delta-8 THC, face restrictions and enforcement under state law when sold for human consumption.
For cannabis operators, Mississippi’s medical cannabis program is new and growing, creating opportunities for cultivation, processing, and retail. Banks and financial service providers require strict compliance, including licensing verification, tax IDs, ownership disclosures, financial statements, and operating agreements. Because the industry remains cash-intensive, financial institutions expect armored transport, reconciled deposits, AML/BSA monitoring, and audit-ready accounting. Businesses must also maintain accurate excise tax and sales tax reporting to ensure uninterrupted financial services.
The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program provides official information and resources for patients, providers, and operators. For licensing, regulations, and compliance updates, visit: https://www.mmcp.ms.gov
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