Why it matters: Mississippi lawmakers have passed a bill to tweak the state’s Medical Cannabis Act, putting tighter reins around regulators so that there is no discrepancy between laws and regulations.
What they are saying: Republican senator Kevin Blackwell said in this bill, they are trying to correct any issues officials have acknowledged were not intended by the original draft of the law. The primary author of the legislation, Republican Representative Lee Yancey, noted the bill was designed to help the state’s medical marijuana program run more smoothly.
The big picture: The bill also includes language that will prevent regulators from passing rules that don’t comply with the state’s medical marijuana statute.
What to watch: If governor Tate Reeves approves the legislation, it will allow Department of Health approvals to be granted within 10 days of an application being processed, rather than 30. Patients will also be allowed to visit other doctors for follow-ups, following approval from their first doctor.
Give your take: The bill also permits the Department of Health to contract with private labs to conduct compliance testing, allowing licensed medical marijuana businesses to use marijuana imagery in branding, including photographs of products for sale posted online by dispensaries. If signed into law, such provisions will boost the cannabis market in Mississippi.
