Mississippi Marijuana Laws (2026): A Beginner’s Guide
Quick answer: Recreational marijuana is not legal in Mississippi, but medical cannabis is legal for registered patients with a qualifying condition. Resident patients can buy up to 24 MMCEUs (about 3 ounces of flower) every 30 days and possess up to 28 MMCEUs. Home growing is not allowed for anyone.
Last verified: October 20, 2026, against the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program. Laws change, so check the official site before you travel or buy.
| Recreational | Illegal (small amounts decriminalized) |
|---|---|
| Medical | Legal (Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, signed February 2, 2022) |
| Minimum age | Card required; adults with a certification, minors only with a parent or guardian as caregiver |
| Possession limit | Patients: 28 MMCEUs (residents), 14 MMCEUs (nonresidents); non-patients: none legal |
| Home grow | No |
| Public use | Not allowed |
| Driving limit/DUI rule | Driving under the influence of any drug is illegal |
| Medical card for visitors | Yes, with a temporary nonresident card that’s good for 15 days |
Who can get medical cannabis?
Mississippi voters approved medical marijuana in 2020, but the state Supreme Court struck that measure down on a technicality. Lawmakers then passed their own version, the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, which became law in February 2022. The Mississippi State Department of Health runs the program.
To qualify, you need a debilitating condition listed in the law. These include cancer, PTSD, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy and chronic pain, along with conditions that cause symptoms such as severe nausea or cachexia. Someone 21 and over who just wants to unwind on Friday night? Err… no. Mississippi has no adult-use program.
How to get a medical card
- See a registered practitioner. Only practitioners registered with the Department of Health can certify you. That includes MDs, DOs, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and optometrists. They’ll confirm you have a qualifying condition.
- Apply online through the MMCP patient portal after you’ve been certified.
- Pay the fee. The card costs $25, or $15 for Medicaid participants. Insurance and Medicaid won’t pay for the cannabis itself.
Minors can qualify, but a parent or legal guardian has to act as their caregiver. Check the program site for the current rules on renewals and follow-up visits. Lawmakers debated changing those rules in 2026.
Where can patients buy?
Only at dispensaries licensed by the Mississippi Department of Revenue, which you can find through the official program website. Cities and counties were allowed to opt out, so some areas don’t have dispensaries.
How much can patients buy or possess?
Mississippi measures medical cannabis in MMCEUs (Mississippi Medical Cannabis Equivalency Units). One MMCEU equals 3.5 grams of flower, 1 gram of concentrate or 100 mg of THC in an infused product.
- Resident patients: up to 24 MMCEUs in 30 days from all dispensaries combined, with a possession limit of 28 MMCEUs.
- Nonresident patients: up to 6 MMCEUs a week and 12 MMCEUs in 15 days, with a possession limit of 14 MMCEUs.
For flower, 24 MMCEUs works out to 84 grams, or roughly 3 ounces a month.
Can you grow your own?
No. Neither patients nor anyone else can legally grow cannabis at home in Mississippi. Growing is treated under the state’s controlled substance laws, with penalties based on the weight of the plants.
Where can patients use it?
In private, generally at home. Using medical cannabis in public places, in a vehicle, or anywhere your landlord or employer bans it isn’t protected. Keep products in their original dispensary packaging when you’re out and about.
Can you drive after using?
No. Mississippi’s DUI law covers any substance that impairs your driving, and having a medical card isn’t a defense. Treat cannabis like alcohol: if you used it, don’t drive.
Can you take it out of state?
No. Crossing state lines with cannabis is illegal, even if you have a card and even if the other state has its own program. Mississippi’s neighbors (Louisiana, Arkansas and Alabama) each run their own medical programs, and Tennessee doesn’t have one. The closest adult-use states are farther away, such as Missouri and Illinois. Buy and use cannabis only where it’s legal, and don’t drive any of it home.
Federal context, as of October 2026: recreational marijuana is still a Schedule I drug federally. In April 2026, state-licensed medical marijuana and FDA-approved products moved to Schedule III, and broader rescheduling was paused on September 29, 2026. A November 2025 federal hemp law takes away legal status from intoxicating hemp-THC products such as delta-8 and THCA flower, with its main provisions taking effect December 11, 2026.
Can your employer fire you?
Yes, in most cases. The Medical Cannabis Act doesn’t require employers to allow cannabis use, and an employer can enforce a drug-free workplace policy and take action against employees who use medical cannabis. Talk with HR before you assume you’re protected.
What are the penalties?
- Up to 30 grams, first offense, without a card: fine of $100 to $250, with no jail. Mississippi decriminalized this decades ago.
- Second offense (up to 30 grams): up to $250 fine and 5 to 60 days in jail.
- Up to 30 grams anywhere in a vehicle other than the trunk: misdemeanor, up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
- Over 30 grams, any sale, or any amount of hash or concentrate without a card: these can be felonies with long sentences.
Compare Mississippi with other states on our marijuana law hub.
Mississippi marijuana law FAQ
Is weed legal in Mississippi?
Only for medical use. Mississippi allows registered patients with a qualifying condition to buy medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries. Recreational marijuana is illegal, although possessing up to 30 grams is a fine-only offense the first time.
How much medical cannabis can you buy in Mississippi?
Resident cardholders in Mississippi can buy up to 24 MMCEUs in 30 days, which is about 3 ounces of flower, and can possess up to 28 MMCEUs. One MMCEU equals 3.5 grams of flower, 1 gram of concentrate or 100 mg of THC in infused products.
Does Mississippi accept out-of-state medical cards?
Not directly. Visiting patients can apply for a Mississippi nonresident card up to 30 days before arriving, and the card is valid for 15 days. You’ll need your home state’s medical cannabis card. Nonresidents can buy up to 6 MMCEUs a week.
Can you grow marijuana in Mississippi?
No. Home cultivation is illegal in Mississippi, including for registered medical patients. All medical cannabis must come from licensed dispensaries.
What happens if you get caught with weed in Mississippi?
Without a medical card, a first offense for 30 grams or less in Mississippi is a $100 to $250 fine. Repeat offenses, larger amounts, concentrates and sales carry much tougher penalties, including possible jail or prison time.