HB 1502 Summary

• Renames "Mississippi Hemp Cultivation Act" to "Mississippi Hemp Act" and transfers administration from the Department of Agriculture and Commerce to the State Department of Health effective July 1, 2025.

• Reduces the THC threshold for hemp cultivation violations from 0.5% to 0.3% on a dry weight basis and prohibits all artificially derived cannabinoids in hemp products.

• Establishes licensing system for hemp product retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and processors with annual fees ($200-$500) collected by the State Department of Health, plus a 3% excise tax on consumable hemp products.

• Legalizes non-alcoholic hemp beverages (containing no more than 5mg THC per 12-ounce container) regulated as "light intoxicating beverages" alongside beer, light wine, and light spirit products under Chapter 3, Title 67.

• Requires manufacturers to register all hemp product brands and formulations with the Department of Revenue in a publicly available directory; prohibits sale of unlisted products and imposes penalties for unauthorized sales and failure to post required THC warning notices.