If you live here in our state, you’re probably asking, “Are medical marijuana cards public in Mississippi?”
What is a Medical Marijuana Card?
A medical marijuana card is a card issued to individuals with a qualifying illness in order to purchase medical marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries. Medical marijuana cards are not public records but provide confirmation that the individual holds a valid medical marijuana card.
Medical marijuana cards are stored in a database maintained by the Mississippi State Department of Health. However, they do not publish the names of individuals enrolled in the medical cannabis program.
Marijuana possession and use are still illegal under federal law, so patients who have cards may not be able to use them in other states. However, some medical marijuana advocates say the cards could help patients avoid police raids or social stigma.
More: How to Request Medical Records to Get Your Medical Marijuana Card
Who is Eligible for a Medical Marijuana Card?
In Mississippi, anyone 21 years of age or older can apply for a medical marijuana card. The applicant must also have a qualifying condition. On February 2, 2022, the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act was signed into law, allowing for the medical use of marijuana for certain approved conditions.
A medical marijuana cardholder can purchase and consume medical marijuana products at state-approved dispensaries.
There are certain conditions eligible for treatment through medical marijuana in Mississippi. Here’s a list:
- Cancer
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Muscular dystrophy
- Spastic quadriplegia
- Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Hepatitis
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Sickle-cell anemia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Agitation of dementia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Autism
- Pain refractory to appropriate opioid management
- Spinal cord disease or severe injury
Who Should Apply for a medical marijuana card in Mississippi?
Misdemeanor convictions do not automatically disqualify someone from obtaining a medical marijuana card. But if you have been convicted of any felony, you will not be eligible to receive a card. In addition, if you are applying for a card for the first time, you will need to provide proof of your residency (such as a driver’s license or lease agreement). You will also need to provide documentation verifying your diagnosed condition and that you have received a recommendation from a healthcare provider who is familiar with cannabis use for treating that condition.
If you have any questions about eligibility or the process of applying for a cannabis card in Mississippi, please visit www.pausethepain.com/schedule-consultation.
Conclusion
Medical marijuana cards are becoming more popular in Mississippi as the state moves closer to the availability of cannabis dispensaries. However, there is still a lot of confusion about whether or not medical marijuana cards are public or private in Mississippi. The official stance from the state is that medical marijuana cards are private and only accessible by those with a license from the state Department of Health. The Mississippi State Department of Health does not publish the names of individuals enrolled in the medical cannabis program.