Delta 8 THC in Mississippi: Is It Legal & Where to Buy in 2023?
Delta 8 THC is federally legal, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. It’s unrestricted in several states across the United States as most states follow these guidelines.
However, Mississippi has implemented local laws that restrict the production, possession, and consumption of this cannabinoid.
Mississippi is one of few states that goes against the federal guidelines for delta 8 THC.
Unfortunately, this cannabinoid is just as illegal as delta 9 THC (the psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana).
Are there any exceptions to these laws? What other laws surround delta 8 THC, CBD, and cannabis in Mississippi?
Is Delta 8 THC Legal in Mississippi?
No, delta 8 THC is not legal in Mississippi.
Unfortunately, Mississippi is one of the few states that restrict the production, sale, and consumption of delta 8 THC.
Although federally legal, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, Mississippi goes against this legislation and has introduced state laws that make delta 8 THC illegal. The 2018 Farm Bill differentiates hemp and marijuana, making cannabinoids derived from hemp legal while marijuana remains illegal.
Mississippi doesn’t treat all cannabinoids the same, but there are restrictions on most common hemp-derived cannabinoids. Delta 8 THC is completely banned in Mississippi. However, CBD that’s extracted from hemp is legal.
As far as marijuana is concerned, it’s still very illegal in the state of Mississippi. Although the possession of small amounts of marijuana has been decriminalized, people caught with it can face some pretty harsh penalties.
There are minimum fines of $250 – $500 for a small amount of cannabis, a $1000 fine and one year in jail for over 30 grams, and a mandatory two-year sentence for the possession of hash or concentrates.
Although it’s unclear what the penalties are for the possession of delta 8 THC, we can assume the state treats it similarly to marijuana. The Mississippi House Bill 1547 states that all forms of tetrahydrocannabinol from the cannabis plant are listed as Schedule 1 drugs.
Where to Buy Delta 8 THC in Mississippi?
Delta 8 THC can be purchased in several stores, dispensaries, and eCommerce stores across the US.
Unfortunately, Mississippi treats delta 8 THC as a schedule 1 substance alongside delta 9 THC. This means it’s currently not legally possible to purchase delta 8 THC in this state, whether in person or online.
If you don’t live in Mississippi or any other banned state, the cannabinoid is unrestricted under federal law. The best place to purchase delta 8 THC, in this case, would be online.
The benefits of ordering delta 8 THC online:
- Online shops have better pricing and seasonal discounts
- When you buy online, you can read customer reviews & third-party tests before you buy
- Ordering online is easier and more convenient
- Online shops have a greater selection of products
- Products left on store shelves degrade more quickly
As soon as Mississippi lifts this completely unnecessary ban, we’ll recontinue shipping to addresses in this state. Sign up for our email newsletter to stay updated on delta 8 laws in the US as they change.
Do I Need A Medical Card in Mississippi To Order Delta 8 THC?
Mississippi currently has no medical scheme for cannabis or its derivatives.
Federally, a medical license card isn’t needed to purchase delta 8 THC. However, because of Mississippi’s strict local laws, it’s not possible to purchase the cannabinoid — regardless of whether you’re a medical patient or a recreational user.
Any reputable vendor of delta 8 THC will not ship to the state of Mississippi.
Delta 8 Vapes & The PACT Act
Vaping is a popular way to consume delta 8 THC because the effects can be felt quickly. It’s an easy, hassle-free way to use the cannabinoid and offers the best bioavailability.
Although there are no federal restrictions on the sale of delta 8 THC, the PACT (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking) Act makes it federally illegal to sell vape products to anyone under the age of 21.
All companies that distribute vape pens, vape liquids, and related products must verify the age of their customers before a sale is made. This is the law across all 50 states, and any company not following the PACT act is committing a federal crime.
Companies that aren’t following federal laws are likely cutting other corners and shouldn’t be trusted.
Any business that’s selling vape products to minors (people under the age of 21) is conducting business unethically and likely sells inferior quality products with dangerous additives and cheap ingredients.
Unfortunately, delta 8 THC is illegal in Mississippi, so we don’t recommend trying to source the cannabinoid online. However, if you’re looking to purchase other vape products, make sure the company you use asks for age verification first to avoid disappointment.
What’s The Difference Between Delta 8 THC & Delta 9 THC?
There are several cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. One of these cannabinoids is tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly known as THC. However, there are a few different types of THC.
Delta 8 THC and delta 9 THC are extremely similar on a molecular level. However, a double bond is what differentiates them both legally, and in the effects they produce.
Delta 9 THC is still illegal under federal law, although it’s currently legal under state laws in over 35 states across the US. Delta 8 THC is federally legal due to the 2018 Farm Bill because it’s extracted from hemp.
Although legal federally, it’s been made illegal in certain states across the US, including Mississippi.
The effects of delta 8 THC and delta 9 THC are relatively similar as they interact with the same receptors in the brain. They are both psychoactive and impair the consumer. However, delta 8 THC produces less intense effects compared to its federally illicit cousin delta 9 THC.
This is great for people that enjoy the relaxing effects of THC but don’t respond well to some of the negative side effects of the cannabinoid, such as paranoia and anxiousness. Delta 8 THC is far less motivating but does provide the user with a similar relaxing effect.
How to Use Delta 8 THC?
There are plenty of different ways to use delta 8 THC.
As with CBD, delta 8 THC comes in many forms. You can consume delta 8 THC as an edible, in capsule form, as a tincture, or by vaping it.
There’s no wrong or right way to use delta 8 THC, and which consumption method works best ultimately comes down to your personal preference.
Delta 8 THC Edibles
Delta 8 THC edibles are extremely popular. The most common edible you’ll find is the humble gummy. These are soft chewy sweets that are infused with the cannabinoid.
When ingested, the infused candy passes through the digestive tract, where the delta 8 THC can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Delta 8 THC edibles aren’t the most bioavailable way to use the cannabinoid, and onset times are a little longer than other consumption formats. However, it’s an easy and tasty way to consume delta 8, and the effects last a long time after they kick in.
Delta 8 THC Capsules
Delta 8 THC capsules are extremely similar to edibles in that they have to pass through the digestive tract to take effect. This gives them a similar onset time and bioavailability value as edibles.
The main difference is that they are completely tasteless and can be swallowed like any other supplement or medication — in pill form.
Capsules are great if you’re looking for a measured dose that can be easily taken with a glass of water. If you can’t be bothered with chewing, vaping, or using tinctures, capsules are your best option.
Delta 8 THC Tinctures
Delta 8 THC tinctures combine d8 extracts with an alcohol or oil base.
The solution is applied by using a dropper to place a measured dose under the tongue where it can be sublingually absorbed.
Unlike edibles and capsules, delta 8 THC tinctures don’t have to pass through the digestive system in order to be absorbed. The sublingual absorption means this is a far more bioavailable way to consume the cannabinoid.
The effects kick in faster, and they last for a reasonable amount of time before another dose is needed. Tinctures also give you ultimate flexibility in terms of dosage. You can adjust the strength of your dose by dropping fewer or more drops of the cannabinoid under the tongue.
Delta 8 THC Vape Pens
Delta 8 THC vape pens are used in a completely different way to edibles, capsules, and tinctures. Rather than supplementing the cannabinoid orally, it’s inhaled as a vapor where it can be absorbed by the alveoli in the lungs.
Delta 8 THC extract is combined with vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol, so it produces a thick vapor when heated up with a vape pen. When this vapor is inhaled, the cannabinoid becomes highly bioavailable.
When you inhale delta 8, the effects appear almost instantly, so if you’re looking for fast and effective relief, this is the way forward. However, the effects don’t last as long as the other consumption methods mentioned.
Is Marijuana (Delta 9 THC) Legal In Mississippi?
Mississippi has some of the strictest cannabis laws in the world. Half an ounce of marijuana could land you up to 1 year in jail and half a million dollars in fines. The state technically has a medical program but doesn’t appear to hand out many approvals.
Related: Where is marijuana legal in the United States?
Is Delta 10 THC Legal In Mississippi?
Delta 10 THC is treated the same as other hemp-derived cannabinoids under federal law. However, Mississippi classes all derivatives of tetrahydrocannabinol as illegal. Therefore, delta 10 is treated the same as delta 8 THC in the state and is banned under state legislation.
What’s The Future of Delta 8 THC in Mississippi?
Unfortunately, Mississippi is a bit behind on its hemp and marijuana regulations despite being one of the leading states in terms of raw hemp biomass production.
Delta 8 THC is currently banned in this state, and the laws are unlikely to change in the near future. However, as the United States progresses and more and more states relax their cannabis laws, we can expect that these primitive restrictions will change with time.
Mississippi is a bit of a “black sheep” in a herd of green states, but time will heal this. With more and more states legalizing marijuana, the pressure will start to increase for Mississippi.
Although the near future is unclear, I think we all know where the laws on hemp and cannabis are going in the next 5 to 10 years. If it’s not already federally legal by this time, we can expect most states in the US to become green by adjusting local laws.