Is marijuana legal in MS? What to know before Christmas 2025 cousin walk
Trump signs EO easing federal marijuana restrictions
President Donald Trump signed an executive order easing federal marijuana restrictions.
- Recreational marijuana is not legal in Mississippi, but possession of small amounts has been decriminalized.
- Possessing 30 grams or less of marijuana for personal use may result in a fine rather than jail time for a first offense.
- Medical marijuana is legal in Mississippi for patients with a prescription card for specific qualifying conditions.
- It is illegal for anyone, including medical marijuana cardholders, to grow their own cannabis in the state.
If you’re visiting Mississippi for Christmas or the new year, make sure you know state marijuana laws before agreeing to bring the weed for the cousin walk.
This new holiday tradition has a lot of buzz around it. Teens and young adults take a stroll to have some deeper discussions, get a break from the whole family and smoke a little pot. Sometimes it’s called the “pre-dinner safety meeting.”
It’s so popular at Thanksgiving that the Wednesday before is now known as Green Wednesday in the cannabis industry. Joyce Cenali, co-founder of the Cannabis Media Council, told CNN that it’s the second-largest informal holiday for reefer behind April 20, known as 420 day.
About half of all U.S. states have moved to legalize recreational marijuana. In Mississippi, it’s complicated. Weed is partially decriminalized here, so amounts for personal use should be fine for most people. But it’s not fully legal.
Twenty-four states have adopted laws allowing adults to buy and consume cannabis for non-medical use, but Mississippi continues to prohibit it. You won’t go to jail for having a joint, but you could pay a fine.
The Magnolia State also has specific regulations around medical marijuana.
Here’s what we know about buying and using weed and related products in the Magnolia State.
Is Mississippi recreational marijuana legal in Mississippi?
No, Mississippi does not allow adult use of cannabis. But having small amounts for personal use is no longer penalized.
So pot is partially decriminalized. But not legal.
What are the penalties for marijuana possession in Mississippi?
According to NORML, a nonprofit that advocates for the legalization of use by adults, possessing 30 grams or less might lead to a fine of up to $250. For a second offense, you could face a misdemeanor charge, spend 5 to 60 days in jail, and pay a fine of up to $250.
Hash and concentrates have a harsher penalty. Having 0.1 grams or less could lead to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
It’s also a felony to have more than 30 grams of weed, and fines increase based on the amount of the substance or severity of the crime, per NORML.
Having paraphernalia, like pipes or rolling papers, is a misdemeanor that could get you six months in jail or a $500 fine.
Don’t smoke and drive. While it’s generally good sense not to drive while buzzed or otherwise impaired, having marijuana in the cab of a vehicle is at least a misdemeanor, no matter how small the amount. Having less than 30 grams in a car outside the trunk could land you 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine, per NORML.
What states have legalized recreational marijuana?
According to DISA Global Solutions, a company that handles background checks and drug testing, 24 states and the District of Columbia have fully legalized marijuana:
- Alaska (as of 2014)
- Arizona (as of 2020)
- California (as of 2016)
- Colorado (as of 2012)
- Connecticut (as of 2021)
- Delaware (as of 2023)
- District of Columbia (as of 2015)
- Illinois (as of 2019)
- Michigan (as of 2018)
- Minnesota (as of 2023)
- Missouri (as of 2022)
- Montana (as of 2020)
- Nevada (as of 2016)
- New Mexico (as of 2021)
- Ohio (as of 2023)
- Oregon (as of 2014)
- Virginia (as of 2021)
- Maine (as of 2016)
- Massachusetts (as of 2016)
- Maryland (as of 2023)
- New Jersey (as of 2020)
- New York (as of 2021)
- Rhode Island (as of 2022)
- Vermont (as of 2018)
- Washington (as of 2012)
Does Mississippi allow medical marijuana? How do I get it?
According to DISA Global Solutions, marijuana is only legal for medical purchase and consumption in Mississippi.
If you want to buy medical cannabis, you’ll need a medical prescription card. State-registered doctors can prescribe weed for more than 20 conditions, such as cancer, glaucoma or Parkinson’s Disease. Check the list maintained by the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program to see if you qualify.
There are costs and fees associated with getting a card. It’s $25 usually and $15 for indigent patients, veterans and people on Medicaid. (It’s waived for disabled first responders and disabled veterans.) Caregivers, like for minors, also have to pay the $25 fee and $37 for a background check, according to the state cannabis program.
With a prescription card in hand, you can visit a dispensary. Insurance doesn’t cover it, so be prepared to pay out of pocket.
The state allows cardholders to get up to six Medical Cannabis Equivalency Units (MCEUs) a week.
One MMCEU is equivalent to:
- 3.5 grams of flower.
- 1 gram of THC concentrates such as oils and wax.
- 100 milligrams of THC in an infused product.
Can I grow my own marijuana in Mississippi?
No, it is not legal to cultivate cannabis here. It’s a felony to sell or grow weed in Mississippi, according to NORML.
The state regulates the licensed facilities that cultivate cannabis for medical use or production.
Even people with medical marijuana cards can’t grow their own at home, the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program said.
Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
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