Frequently Asked Questions

Medical and Care Professionals FAQ's

General

Application portal technical difficulties

Use this online form to reach Tyler Technologies Technical Support. Please note they cannot answer business, regulation, or policy questions.

What does a disqualifying felony offense mean?
  • A conviction for a crime of violence as defined by state law in Miss. Code Ann §97-3-2.
  • A conviction for a crime that was defined as a violent crime in the law of the jurisdiction in which the offense was committed, and that was classified as a felony in the jurisdiction where the person was convicted; or
  • A conviction for a violation of a state or federal controlled substances law that was classified as a felony in the jurisdiction where the person was convicted, including the service of any term of probation, incarceration or supervised release within the previous five (5) years and the offender has not committed another similar offense since the conviction. Under this subparagraph, a disqualifying felony offense shall not include a conviction that consisted of conduct for which this chapter would likely have been prevented the conviction but for the fact that the conduct occurred before the effective date of the MS Medical Cannabis Act.
How can I register cannabis as a practitioner to certify patients for the medical cannabis program?

Please refer to the MSDH Website, under the Medical Cannabis section and click the tab "Apply for license/registration" and follow the registration steps. Step One - You must first register for an account to utilize the application system. Step Two - Log into the system using your account ID and password. Step Three - Click on "Create New Application". Step Four - Select "I am a Practitioner". Step Five - Complete "New Practitioner Registration".

Caregiver

What is a designated caregiver? Is this my physician or nurse practitioner?

A "designated caregiver" is a person, at least 21 years of age, who has agreed to assist no more than five (5) registered qualifying patients with their medical use of medical cannabis. Typically, a designated caregiver will not be your physician or nurse practitioner.

I need information about becoming a registered caregiver.

Please visit our website and review the Pre-Application Checklist for caregiver forms and information.

How do I apply to be a designated caregiver?

First, you must be designated as a caregiver by a patient who is already approved for the program. You can apply to be a designated caregiver through the MSDH website. You will also need to complete the Designation of Caregiver Form and upload it with your application.

Do I need a caregiver card to purchase Medical Cannabis for my child?

Yes, for people under the age of 18, the custodial parent or legal guardian must be a qualified caregiver. 15 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 22, Subpt. 2.

Can a caregiver have more than one patient?

Each registered patient must designate that person as his/her caregiver as a first step in the caregiver approval process. A caregiver cannot assist more than five (5) registered qualifying patients with their medical use of medical cannabis, unless the designated caregiver's registered qualifying patients each reside in or are admitted to a health care facility or facility providing residential care services or day care services where the designated caregiver is employed. 15 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 22, Subpt. 2.

Practitioners

Who is a practitioner?

A physician or physician assistant licensed to prescribe medicine by the MS State Board of Medical Licensure. A certified nurse practitioner licensed to prescribe medicine by the MS State Board of Nursing. An optometrist licensed to prescribe medicine by the MS State Board of Optometry.

Must a practitioner have continuing education prior to applying to participate in the medical cannabis program?

Yes. Eight hours of continuing education is required in order to register initially with MSDH. Five hours of continuing education will be required at renewal. Miss. Code Ann. § 41-137-39.

Does a practitioner have to be registered by the MS State Department of Health?

Yes. A practitioner must be registered by MSDH prior to issuing a written certification for a person seeking to participate in the medical cannabis program.

When does the practitioner’s certification expire?

Annual registration is required.

Can a qualified practitioner issue a certification for medical cannabis by telemedicine?

You can only obtain a certification following an initial in-person visit. 15 Miss. Admin. Code Pt 22, R. 2.9.3.

Does MSDH require specific continuing education topics?

Yes. Only MSDH approved CME is acceptable to meet the requirements of the state medical cannabis program. All practitioners are required to participate in MSDH’s Overview of the Medical Cannabis Program (to be made available) in addition to the following approved CME.

Additional Support

Additional Medical and Care Professionals Support

For questions regarding:

  • Required documentation
  • Eligibility
  • Regulations
  • Required information on the application
  • Other non-technical questions on applying for your license

Technical and Payment Support Use this online form to reach Tyler Technologies Technical Support. Please note they cannot answer business, regulation, or policy questions.