Mississippi is amongst the 37 states that have legalized the use of medical marijuana. Residents can apply for a medical card and legally access medical marijuana products. The Mississippi Cannabis Program allows doctors to recommend medical marijuana to patients who suffer from a qualifying medical condition. Nevertheless, patients must follow a set of requirements in order to obtain a medical card.
Medical Marijuana Patient Requirements
Patients and caregivers who wish to apply for a medical card must meet the following criteria:
- applicants must show proof of residency
- patients must be at least 18 years of age
- underage patients must have a designated caregiver with a valid medical marijuana card
- caregivers can be at least 21 years of age and have a maximum of 5 patients
- patients must suffer from a qualifying medical condition
- patients must obtain a recommendation from a state-licensed physician
After obtaining a recommendation from the doctor, patients have up to 60 days to apply for a medical card with the Medical Cannabis Program.
Medical Conditions That Qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card
Those who believe medical marijuana could be a good treatment for their symptoms should book a consultation with a state-licensed doctor. Every patient must obtain a recommendation that will allow them to proceed with the application for a card.
Medical evaluations can happen in person or via telemedicine. During the evaluation, the doctor will determine whether your medical condition could indeed benefit from medical marijuana. In Mississippi, some of the medical conditions that qualify include:
- cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- agitation of dementia
- hepatitis
- autism
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Crohn’s disease
- acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- muscular dystrophy
- spastic quadriplegia
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- glaucoma
Only a doctor can certify you for receiving medical marijuana as treatment, and this will depend on the severity of your symptoms and any past medical records you can make available.
How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card
After being certified by a doctor, patients must proceed with their application by registering with the Medical Cannabis Portal. After the registration is approved, patients must complete their application, as well as submit their medical recommendations online.
The approval time is 5 days for patients and up to 30 days for licenses.
Purchasing Medical Marijuana in Mississippi
The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act imposes the following limits on the amount of medical marijuana a registered patient can purchase and possess:
- purchase no more than six MCEUs in a week (a bit less than 3/4 ounce)
- purchase no more than 24 MCEUs in a month (less than 3 ounces)
- possess no more than 28 MCEUs at one time (a bit less than 3.5 ounces)
Patients and caregivers may not purchase more than prescribed, and never distribute the products to someone else.
Mississippi Medical Marijuana Card Limitations
If you are a registered patient with a medical marijuana card, you can legally purchase and consume your supply, but must also remember a few rules. Here are the most important regulations you must know:
- registered patients may not drive under the influence, or perform similar actions
- medical marijuana can’t be smoked in public or in a vehicle
- patients under 21 are not allowed to enter dispensaries without a caregiver or legal guardian
Something else to keep in mind is that patients must have a clean record in order to be approved for a medical card. If the applicant was convicted of a disqualifying felony offense, they may not be able to receive a medical marijuana card.
Mississippi does not prohibit the purchasing and possession of a firearm. Medical marijuana patients will not be revoked any of their rights as a consequence of their status.
Bottom Line
Mississippi is one of the most permissive states when it comes to obtaining a medical marijuana card or a license to grow and sell. Doctors are increasingly prescribing medical marijuana for various symptoms, and patients are now benefitting from an alternative treatment with fewer side effects and a low risk of addiction.
If you are a resident in Mississippi and you are wondering “How do I get a medical marijuanas card in MS?”, don’t hesitate to book an evaluation with a doctor and learn more about the process of obtaining a card.
