Mississippi lawmakers are weighing changes to the state’s medical marijuana program after hearing recommendations from the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association.
The group’s director, Henry Crisler, told a legislative Cannabis Advisory Committee that patient participation has declined in recent months, in part because of burdensome requirements. Among the proposed fixes: extending medical marijuana card renewals from one year to two years and reducing mandatory follow-up visits from every six months to once annually. Crisler noted that 35 of Mississippi’s 82 counties lack a licensed practitioner, forcing some patients to drive long distances just to stay compliant.
Crisler also pointed out that the six-month follow-up mandate is inconsistently enforced, with some doctors applying it and others not. Shifting to a yearly requirement, he said, would make the law easier to follow and enforce.
In addition, the Association recommended expanding access by allowing doctors to approve medical cannabis for any condition, rather than limiting it to a specific list that includes cancer, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. They also urged lawmakers to adopt a “Right-to-Try” expansion.
Crisler told the committee that medical cannabis generates tens of millions of dollars in revenue for the state and costs patients an average of about $200 per month.
While some lawmakers expressed concern about broadening access to a federally illegal substance, public attendees largely voiced support.
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