MS HC81

Suspends Joint Rules deadlines and provisions of Joint Rule No. 40 to allow further consideration and passage of House Bill 1371 regarding medical marijuana in Mississippi.

Establishes the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Act of 2019, legalizing medical marijuana use under state law with a system of licensed dispensaries and cultivation facilities.

Creates a Medical Marijuana Commission to license and regulate dispensaries (20-40 licenses) and cultivation facilities (4-8 licenses), with the Department of Health and Alcoholic Beverage Control Division establishing operational rules.

Requires physicians to certify patients have qualifying medical conditions; patients receive registry identification cards; protects qualifying patients and facility agents from criminal penalties and discrimination.

Directs state sales tax revenue from marijuana sales be distributed as follows: 5% to Department of Health, 4% to Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, 1% to Medical Marijuana Commission, remainder to state general fund.