Mississippi providers could seek cannabis access for additional illnesses

A treating medical provider could ask the Department of Health to let a patient access medical cannabis. This would cover patients whose illness is chronic, progressive, severely disabling, or terminal and is not listed as a qualifying condition. The provider must have a documented relationship with the patient for at least 30 days and primary responsibility for managing the illness. The petition would need medical records, treatment information, a recommendation, an explanation of possible benefits, and patient or guardian consent to review relevant records. The State Health Officer would decide each petition within 45 calendar days, and the decision would be final with no court appeal. Approval would only make the patient eligible to apply for a registry card under the program's existing rules and limits. If enacted, the act would take effect July 1, 2026; the 45-day decision period would begin when the department receives a petition.

Providers submitting petitions would have to act in good faith and meet licensing standards, while approved patients would face ongoing monitoring. These rules would apply to providers who submit petitions and patients approved through this pathway. Providers must be in good standing and certify that their petitions follow accepted medical standards. Providers acting in good faith under the act would not face civil, criminal, or administrative liability solely for recommending medical cannabis. Patients would need reevaluation by their treating provider at least every 12 months. Eligibility could be revoked if the provider-patient relationship ends or the patient's condition becomes unsafe for cannabis use. The reevaluation requirement would apply at least once every 12 months after approval; revocation could occur when the stated conditions arise.

The Department of Health could limit approved patients' cannabis type, form, or amount and would report program activity each year. The limits would apply to patients approved through the act, while the report would go to the chairs of two legislative committees. The department's limits would have to follow public health and safety standards. Annual reports would include petition totals, broad illness categories, safety concerns, and recommendations for legal or regulatory updates. Reported information would have to be de-identified and follow privacy laws. The act would not require violating federal law, allow interstate cannabis transport or distribution, or override workplace drug policies or school rules. Annual reporting would occur after implementation, but the supplied text does not state a specific reporting date.