A Mississippi Senate committee has advanced House-backed legislation that would lengthen how long medical cannabis patient certifications remain valid.
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee has voted to approve House Bill 895, sending the proposal to the full Senate for further consideration. The measure previously cleared the Mississippi House of Representatives in a 98 to 11 vote.
House Bill 895 was introduced by Representative Lee Yancey (R) and would change how often medical marijuana patients must renew their certifications and identification cards. Under the proposal, the validity period for both would be extended from 12 months to 24 months.
Mississippi’s current law requires patients to renew their physician certification and identification card every year in order to remain in the state’s medical marijuana program. Supporters of the change argue that the yearly renewal requirement creates unnecessary costs and administrative burdens for patients who have already been approved for the program, particularly those living with chronic or long-term conditions.
If enacted, HB 895 would eliminate the requirement for annual follow-up visits tied specifically to maintaining certification. Patients would still need to obtain an initial certification from a physician confirming they have a qualifying medical condition before joining the program.
Backers of the measure say the change would maintain physician oversight at the front end of the process while reducing ongoing paperwork and appointment requirements for patients who remain eligible for medical marijuana treatment.
The proposal is one of two medical marijuana measures recently passed by the House. Another bill, House Bill 1034, would allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana while receiving care in hospitals.
Sponsored
