Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Mississippi Senate Bill SB2572

Introduced
1/19/26  
Refer
1/19/26  

Caption

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 69-25-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO RENAME THE "MISSISSIPPI HEMP CULTIVATION ACT" AS THE "MISSISSIPPI HEMP ACT," AND TO EXPAND ITS PURPOSE TO REGULATING THE MANUFACTURE, PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS OTHER THAN BEVERAGES; TO AMEND SECTION 69-25-203, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS; TO AMEND SECTION 69-25-207, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO TRANSFER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI HEMP ACT FROM THE COMMISSIONER AND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE TO THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LICENSING RETAILERS, WHOLESALERS, MANUFACTURERS AND PROCESSORS OF CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS OTHER THAN BEVERAGES; TO SET THE ANNUAL LICENSE FEES TO BE COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND TO DIRECT THAT SUCH FEES BE DEPOSITED INTO THE STATE GENERAL FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 69-25-213, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REDUCE, FROM A CONCENTRATION OF MORE THAN 0.5% TO A CONCENTRATION OF MORE THAN 0.3%, THE THRESHOLD FOR VIOLATIONS OF PRODUCING CANNABIS SATIVA L. WITH A CERTAIN DELTA 9 TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL CONCENTRATION ON A DRY WEIGHT BASIS; TO AMEND SECTION 69-25-217, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT THE SALE, OR MANUFACTURE OR PRODUCTION FOR SALE, IN MISSISSIPPI OR TO MISSISSIPPI CONSUMERS, OF PRODUCTS DERIVED FROM ANY CANNABIS PLANT, EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI HEMP ACT, THE LIGHT ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE STATUTES, OR THE MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CANNABIS ACT; TO PROHIBIT THE MANUFACTURE, PRODUCTION OR SALE OF ANY HEMP PRODUCT CONTAINING SYNTHETIC CANNABINOID; TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF ANY CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCT TO ANY PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS; TO CREATE NEW CODE SECTIONS TO REQUIRE THAT LABELS FOR HEMP PRODUCTS BE APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT; TO REQUIRE THAT A FINALIZED SAMPLE OF FINISHED HEMP PRODUCTS HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSUMABLE FOOD MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTORS; TO REQUIRE A LICENSED ENTITY TO PROVIDE A QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT AN ELECTRONIC REPORTING SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY CONSUMABLE FOOD MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTOR OR CONSUMABLE HEMP MANUFACTURER, PROCESSOR, WHOLESALER OR RETAILER THAT FAILS TO TIMELY REPORT HEMP PRODUCTS PURCHASED OR SOLD IN MISSISSIPPI, OR THAT PURCHASES OR SELLS ANY UNLAWFUL HEMP PRODUCT, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO A FINE AS PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT, AND TO DIRECT THAT SUCH FINES BE DEPOSITED INTO THE STATE GENERAL FUND; TO IMPOSE A 3% EXCISE TAX ON CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS AND TO DIRECT THAT PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAX BE DEPOSITED INTO THE STATE GENERAL FUND; TO AMEND SECTIONS 69-25-211, 69-25-215, 69-25-219, 69-25-221 AND 69-25-223, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 41-137-45, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON OR ENTITY TO SELL OR TRANSFER PRODUCTS DERIVED FROM ANY CANNABIS PLANT TO INDIVIDUALS IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR A PERSON OR BUSINESS ENTITY THAT UNLAWFULLY SELLS CANNABIS DERIVED PRODUCTS; TO REVISE CERTAIN INTENT REQUIREMENTS; TO CREATE NEW CODE SECTIONS TO REQUIRE EVERY MANUFACTURER OF A CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCT THAT IS SOLD FOR RETAIL SALE IN MISSISSIPPI TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE A CERTIFICATION FORM THAT SEPARATELY LISTS EACH BRAND NAME, CATEGORY, PRODUCT NAME AND FLAVOR FOR EACH CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCT THAT IS SOLD IN MISSISSIPPI; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO MAINTAIN AND MAKE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON ITS OFFICIAL WEBSITE A DIRECTORY THAT LISTS ALL CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS, BRAND NAMES, CATEGORIES, PRODUCT NAMES AND FLAVORS FOR WHICH CERTIFICATION FORMS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, AND TO UPDATE THE DIRECTORY AT LEAST MONTHLY TO ENSURE ACCURACY; TO PROVIDE THAT CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS NOT LISTED IN THE DIRECTORY AND INTENDED FOR RETAIL SALE IN MISSISSIPPI SHALL BE SUBJECT TO SEIZURE, FORFEITURE AND DESTRUCTION, AND MAY NOT BE PURCHASED OR SOLD FOR RETAIL SALE IN MISSISSIPPI; TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR THE RETAIL SALE OF CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS NOT INCLUDED IN THE DIRECTORY AND TO DIRECT THAT SUCH PENALTIES BE DEPOSITED INTO THE STATE GENERAL FUND; TO REQUIRE THAT CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE UNLESS CERTAIN CLEARLY VISIBLE NOTICE IS POSTED AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCT IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE; TO PROVIDE FINES FOR SELLING OR OFFERING TO SELL CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS WITHOUT SUCH NOTICE AND TO DIRECT THAT SUCH FINES SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE STATE GENERAL FUND; TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS TO AND THE POSSESSION OF CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS BY MINORS; TO PROHIBIT AUTHORIZED RETAIL DISTRIBUTORS FROM OBTAINING CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS FROM UNAUTHORIZED SOURCES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 67-3-1, 67-3-3, 67-3-5, 67-3-7, 67-3-9, 67-3-13, 67-3-15, 67-3-17, 67-3-19, 67-3-22, 67-3-25, 67-3-27, 67-3-29, 67-3-41, 67-3-45, 67-3-46, 67-3-48, 67-3-48.1, 67-3-49, 67-3-51, 67-3-52, 67-3-53, 67-3-54, 67-3-55, 67-3-57, 67-3-59, 67-3-61, 67-3-63, 67-3-65, 67-3-67, 67-3-69, 67-3-70, 67-3-73, 67-3-74, 67-1-5, 67-1-18, 67-1-51, 67-1-51.1, 67-1-72, 67-7-3, 67-7-5, 67-7-7, 67-7-9, 67-7-11, 67-9-1, 27-65-241, 27-71-301, 27-71-303, 27-71-307, 27-71-311, 27-71-315, 27-71-317, 27-71-325, 27-71-327, 27-71-333, 27-71-335, 27-71-345, 27-71-349, 27-71-509, 45-9-101 AND 97-5-49, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO LEGALIZE THE MANUFACTURE AND SALE OF HEMP BEVERAGES, TO BE REGULATED AND TAXED IN THE SAME MANNER AS BEER, LIGHT WINE AND LIGHT SPIRIT PRODUCTS, GENERICALLY REFERRED TO AS "LIGHT INTOXICATING BEVERAGES"; TO PROVIDE A CURRENT DEFINITION OF "HEMP BEVERAGE," AND TO PROVIDE THAT EFFECTIVE ON NOVEMBER 12, 2026, "HEMP BEVERAGE" MEANS A NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE THAT MEETS THE DEFINITION OF "INTOXICATING HEMP PRODUCT" IN SECTION 69-25-203, IS SOLD IN CONTAINERS OF NO SIZE OTHER THAN 12 FLUID OUNCES, AND CONTAINS NO MORE THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THC PERMITTED IN FINAL HEMP-DERIVED CANNABINOID PRODUCTS AS DEFINED IN 7 USC ยง 1639o; TO REMOVE THE PARENTAL CONSENT EXEMPTION FOR PERSONS AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD BUT UNDER 21; TO REVISE CERTAIN PROVISIONS REGARDING NOTICE TO PERMIT HOLDERS OF COMPLAINTS OR VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Impact

One of the most notable impacts of SB2572 will be the introduction of licensing requirements for retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and processors of consumable hemp products. The State Department of Health will be responsible for setting annual license fees aimed at bolstering the state's general resources. Additionally, the bill specifies that consumable hemp products sold must adhere to defined THC concentration levels, and it establishes penalties for non-compliance with these new regulations. This dual focus on licensing and compliance demonstrates the state's commitment to regulating this burgeoning market while ensuring public safety.

Summary

Senate Bill 2572, known as the Mississippi Hemp Act, seeks to significantly expand the existing Hemp Cultivation Act by not only retaining but also enhancing regulatory provisions for hemp. The bill redefines its purpose to encompass the manufacture, production, distribution, and sale of consumable hemp products, other than beverages. A key change in the regulation also includes transferring administration responsibilities from the Department of Agriculture to the State Department of Health, reflecting a shift towards public health-focused oversight. This change emphasizes the importance of health standards in the burgeoning hemp industry in Mississippi.

Contention

A point of contention surrounding SB2572 includes the introduction of restrictions prohibiting the sale of consumable hemp products to individuals under the age of 21, positioning public health interests against the broader push for deregulation within the hemp industry. Critics may argue that these restrictions could limit access for younger consumers, even in contexts where such products may be deemed safe. Furthermore, the bill's restrictive measures on the manufacture and distribution of hemp products, particularly those containing synthetic cannabinoids, have raised concerns regarding both consumer choice and the potential impact on local businesses looking to enter the market.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

MS HB1006

Cultivate food products; prohibit manufacture and sale of items produced from cultured animal cells.

MS SB2220

Mississippians' Right to Name, Likeness and Voice Act; enact.

MS HB1222

Mississippi Motion Picture Incentive Act; revise to increase certain rebates and removing caps on individual productions and aggregate yearly disbursements.

MS HB217

Helping Mississippians Afford Broadband Act; create.

MS SB2706

Mississippi Hemp Cultivation Act; rename, revise and create new provisions related to.

MS HB1502

MS Hemp Cultivation Act; revise provisions of and legalize manufacture and sale of hemp beverages.

MS SB2850

Cigarettes and vape products; require Commissioner of Revenue to establish separate directories to regulate sales of.

MS HB1376

Hemp beverages; legalize the manufacture and sale of.

MS SB3236

General Fund; FY2026 appropriation to University of Mississippi for the Center for Mississippi Medical Cannabis Research.

MS HB1896

Excise tax; impose on kratom products and revise provisions relating to purchase of tobacco products from outside MS.

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