Mississippi Gov. Signs Bill to Establish Medical Cannabis Research Program at University of Mississippi

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) on Tuesday signed a bill that establishes the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Research Program at the University of Mississippi. The program focuses on examining the safety, efficacy, and potential therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis for patients suffering from a range of medical conditions and includes funding that will give Ole Miss pharmacy school researchers resources to conduct scientific investigations and examine new avenues for medical cannabis research and educational programs. 

In a statement, Robert Welch, director of the university’s National Center for Cannabis Research and Education (NCCRE), said the establishment of the program “represents a tremendous opportunity to advance scientific knowledge, improve patient care and ultimately enhance the well-being of individuals across our state and the nation.” 

The new program at the School of Pharmacy will operate under the umbrella of the NCCRE, which is dedicated to advancing scientific understanding and education in the field of cannabis research. 

State Sen. Nicole Boyd (R), one of the bill sponsors, added that the NCCRE “will help to ensure that Mississippi remains at the forefront of natural products research.” 

Ole Miss launched the NCCRE in January. Famously, the University of Mississippi had the only federal license to cultivate cannabis for more than 50 years through the National Institute on Drug Abuse Drug Supply Program.