Two Medical Cannabis Bills Clear Mississippi House, Await Senate Decision

12 February 2026

Mississippi’s medical cannabis program may be heading toward measured change after the state House passed two reform bills during the 2026 legislative session. The proposals, House Bill 895 and House Bill 1152, now await Senate consideration and, if approved, would revise patient certification rules and open a limited pathway for individuals with severe qualifying conditions to seek access to medical cannabis.

HB 895 centers on administrative updates that appear intended to streamline participation in the program. The bill extends the validity of a practitioner’s written certification from one year to up to two years and removes the requirement for a mandatory six-month follow-up visit. Practitioners would still be allowed to request evaluations when they consider them necessary.

Registry identification cards would follow a similar timeline, lasting 24 months for patients. Resident-designated caregivers, often responsible for obtaining products for those unable to visit dispensaries themselves, would see their cards remain valid for five years. Lawmakers suggested this adjustment makes the credential timeline more consistent with the duration of background checks.

The measure also removes THC potency limits for cannabis tinctures, oils, and concentrates while leaving the existing 30 percent cap on flower intact. Supporters indicated that aligning concentrate rules with those in other states may encourage alternatives to smokable products, though providers would retain authority to restrict the types of cannabis a patient may receive.

The House approved HB 895 by a vote of 98 to 11.

The second proposal, HB 1152, is known as the “Right to Try Medical Cannabis Act.” It outlines a process for patients whose conditions fall outside Mississippi’s current qualifying list but are chronic, progressive, severely disabling, or terminal in nature.

Under the bill, a treating medical provider with an established relationship of at least 30 days could submit a petition to the State Department of Health. The request must detail the patient’s diagnosis, prognosis, medical history, and confirmation that other treatments have been attempted or deemed unsuitable.

Authority would rest entirely with the State Health Officer, whose decision could not be appealed. If approved, the patient would become eligible to apply for a registry identification card under existing program rules. The department could also limit the type, form, or volume of cannabis authorized, and approved patients would be subject to reevaluation at least once every 12 months.

HB 1152 passed the House with a 104 to 7 vote.

For medical cannabis patients, the combined changes may translate into fewer renewal appointments and longer certification periods, potentially lowering logistical hurdles. Caregivers could face less frequent paperwork as well.

Industry observers might see the reforms as incremental rather than expansive. Extending card validity could support steadier patient retention, while the case-by-case nature of the “Right to Try” process suggests the state is approaching eligibility cautiously.

Both bills have been transmitted to the Senate, where their next phase will determine whether these adjustments become part of Mississippi’s evolving medical cannabis landscape.