Mississippi House Passes Hospital Cannabis Access for Dying Patients

The Mississippi House of Representatives voted 117-1 to approve legislation permitting terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice facilities.

Rep. Kevin Felsher (R) sponsored the measure, which moved through the House Public Health and Human Services Committee roughly a week before reaching the full chamber floor. The overwhelming margin signals broad legislative support for expanding access within Mississippi's young medical cannabis program.

The state launched its medical marijuana program in 2022 after voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2020. But current regulations prevent patients from using cannabis in most healthcare settings—a gap that advocacy groups have called cruel for end-of-life patients.

Filling a Critical Gap

Mississippi's medical marijuana law already covers terminal illnesses among its qualifying conditions. Yet patients entering hospitals or hospice care have been forced to discontinue their cannabis treatment, even when it provides relief that conventional medications cannot match.

The Felsher bill would change that by creating explicit protections for medical cannabis use in institutional settings. Healthcare facilities would gain clarity on their legal standing when patients bring state-approved medicine through their doors.

Only one representative voted against the measure. The lone dissenter's reasoning wasn't immediately available, though similar proposals in other states have faced objections over federal funding concerns and facility liability questions.

What Happens Next

The legislation now moves to the Mississippi Senate, where its prospects remain unclear. Senate leadership hasn't indicated whether the bill will receive a committee hearing before the current session ends.

Timing matters. Mississippi's legislative session operates under strict deadlines, and healthcare-related bills often face intense scrutiny in committee. The Senate could amend the House version, potentially sending it back for another vote.

Several states have enacted similar protections in recent years. New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania all permit medical cannabis use in certain healthcare facilities, though implementation varies widely. Some states require individual facility approval, while others mandate access as a patient right.

For Mississippi's roughly 26,000 registered medical marijuana patients, the bill represents a potential quality-of-life improvement during their most vulnerable moments. Whether the Senate shares the House's enthusiasm will determine if that potential becomes reality.

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This article is based on original reporting by www.marijuanamoment.net.