Mississippi lawmakers pass two bills that prohibit intoxicating hemp goods – MEDCAN24

Mississippi lawmakers from both chambers approved separate bans against hemp-infused goods this week, leaving many to speculate which will eventually pass into law.
According to Mississippi Clarion Ledger, House legislation included H.B 1502, while Senate advanced S.B 2314.
House bill 247 would restrict all current hemp products except those containing 0.3% hemp-derived THC or less; prohibit the sale of synthetic cannabinoids; and age gate all hemp products sold to those 21 or over. The ban would not apply to beverages; drinks with up to 5 milligrams of THC would still be approved under supervision by the Department of Health.
The Senate version is stricter in this respect and would list hemp-derived intoxicants as Schedule I drugs, effectively banning all hemp-related goods.
Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association, an umbrella trade group of licensed medical cannabis businesses, has long advocated for restrictions to hemp manufacturers since at least last year; however, no official position was taken this year with any bill, according to Clarion Ledger reports.
“Our organization prioritizes accessibility to safe products and we support any legislation which improves outcomes for patients seeking access via proper channels,” explained William Chism of Medications Access Initiative in Clarion Ledger.
Similar bans or restrictions have been proposed or passed in various other states over recent years as the hemp trade has flourished since federal legalization via Farm Bill 2018. Hemp companies have responded by filing suit in several states challenging such bans on intoxicating hemp products as being against federal legalization – so far with mixed success.
State Rep. Lee Yancey explained to Clarion Ledger that this Mississippi initiative was instituted as a response to hemp products that have begun appearing at gas stations, convenience stores and other retail shops, rather than dispensaries – the right place where cannabis should be sold legally.
“Currently we offer recreational marijuana through gas stations,” explained Clarion Ledger reporter Yancey. “You can gain much higher THC doses there than at medical cannabis dispensaries; as a result, more THC than what is allowed under medical cannabis programs has been added into these products over time – we know something must change here.”