Bill > SB2540

This bill, titled the Mississippi Hemp Cultivation Act, brings forward and makes available for potential amendment several existing Mississippi Code sections related to the cultivation and processing of hemp. It clarifies that the Mississippi Hemp Cultivation Act exclusively governs hemp activities, preventing local governments from enacting conflicting regulations. The bill defines key terms such as "hemp" (defined as Cannabis sativa L. with a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis), "grower," and "processor." It establishes a special fund for the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce to administer the state's hemp plan, which must be approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill outlines licensing and registration requirements for hemp growers and processors, mandates background checks, and details record-keeping and inspection procedures. It also specifies requirements for transporting hemp, including necessary documentation like invoices or bills of lading. The bill addresses enforcement actions, including the possibility of license revocation, civil penalties, and the issuance of stop sale orders, and differentiates between negligent and non-negligent violations, with varying consequences. Notably, it clarifies that certain cannabis-derived products, like those approved by the FDA or obtained under "Harper Grace's Law" for specific medical conditions, are exempt from being classified as controlled substances under Schedule I of state law, and it also exempts hemp and hemp products regulated under the Act from such classifications. Finally, the bill sets an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Health and Social Services

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2540.xml