Mississippi
Mississippi right to address intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids
- Just because a retail location sells these items doesn’t mean they are safe.
If you’ve recently been inside a convenience store in our state to buy a soda or snack, you may have noticed a plethora of items behind the counter, or a locked cabinet, that have colorful packaging and with names such as “Delta 8,” “THC-P,” “HHC,” and “THC-O,” among many others. Unbeknownst to most customers, these products contain what’s known as “Intoxicating Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids.” But just because a retail location sells these items doesn’t mean they are safe.
In 2020, Dr. Bill Gurley, a principal scientist in the National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) at the University of Mississippi (UM), along with his colleagues, published a study that analyzed some of these products being sold in our state. At the time, most of the available products being sold were touted as “CBD (cannabidiol),” a non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis. Undercover law enforcement agents purchased twenty-five of these products, which were sent to UM researchers for analysis. The results were alarming: only three products that claimed to contain CBD were within 20% of what the label claimed was in the product; three products contained delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (d-9 THC), a predominant, intoxicating compound found in cannabis; and three products contained no cannabinoid material whatsoever.
In another study published by UM in 2023, Dr. Mohamed Radwan and his colleagues looked at products containing delta-8 THC, an intoxicating compound found in trace amounts in cannabis. Since there are only trace amounts of delta-8 THC found in cannabis naturally, the manufactures chemically alter CBD to make delta-8 THC for the active ingredient in the products. This process of adding chemicals to create synthetic products such as the ones mentioned earlier (delta-8, THC-P, HHC, etc.) results in many byproducts that could be harmful when ingested. Furthermore, the manufacturers of these products often do not disclose what these byproducts are, nor the amount you are potentially ingesting. This study found several impurities in these products and great variability of their contents.
Some of the side effects of these products are anxiety, vomiting, dizziness, loss of consciousness, tremors, hallucinations, and rapid heart rate. The Center for Disease Control found that since these products have become widely available to the public, hospitalizations of children under 10 years old have skyrocketed as the result of accidental ingestions of cannabis edibles (gummies, cookies, etc.). The Mississippi Poison Control Center has seen similar instances of Emergency Room visits and hospitalizations, mainly due to children having access to these products a parent or guardian purchased and them thinking it was candy or a snack, then having a horrible side effect.
A reasonable question to ask is, “why are these products allowed to be sold in the first place?” In 2018, US legislators passed the Agricultural Improvement Act, commonly known as “The 2018 Farm Bill.” As we discussed earlier regarding the CBD study from 2020, when those products were obtained, most of the products were CBD-based. However, as businesses looked closely at the Farm Bill, a loophole was noticed that stated “derivatives” were also allowed to be sold. This may have been an unintended consequence of the bill’s language, but, nevertheless, companies started making these highly intoxicating products such as the ones we’ve discussed (delta-8, THC-P, HHC, etc.). These products fall outside the governance of the FDA and DEA, hence they are unregulated and able to be sold in gas stations, convenience stores, vape shops, etc.
This issue is not unique to Mississippi and the federal government realizes it must act to address it, but until then, states must take action to protect their citizens. Thankfully, Mississippi now has one of the most comprehensive solutions in the nation on the table. Representative Lee Yancey (District 74) has sponsored House Bill 1676, which addresses this issue, the main goal being consumer safety. By removing these products from the shelves of gas stations and vape shops and placing them under strict rules and parameters of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program dispensaries, we can be sure of the products’ purity, correct dosage/labeling, and consistency, which is currently not the case with the products being sold in retail outlets today.
I commend Representative Yancey and his colleagues who have supported this bill, as Mississippi can lead the way on how to deal with this issue and other states can follow our example.
Mississippi
Political speeches happening at Neshoba County Fair. Here’s the schedule – SuperTalk Mississippi
Mississippi’s most prominent political stage will once again be filled with elected officials and candidates looking to make their case to voters during the 137th annual Neshoba County Fair.
The podium, situated beneath a wooden pavilion in Founder’s Square, gained national attention when Ronald Reagan delivered a speech there during the 1980 presidential campaign. In the decades since, the venue has become a proving ground for candidates seeking office at every level of government, often serving as a launching pad – or stumbling block – for political ambitions.
With the 2026 election cycle featuring congressional midterms, this year’s fair offers challengers a chance to connect with voters while incumbents remain in Washington as Congress conducts business. The event also provides an early look into the 2027 statewide election cycle, giving fairgoers an opportunity to hear from current officeholders who may be considering bids for higher office.
Political speaking is scheduled for the mornings of Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25. Invitations are extended to Mississippi’s statewide elected officials, candidates seeking statewide office, and elected officials and candidates who districts include Neshoba County.
Wednesday, June 24
- 9:30 a.m. — Lane Taylor (R), state senator, District 18
- 9:40 a.m. — Michael Chiaradino (D), candidate for U.S. House, Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District
- 9:50 a.m. — Ty Pinkins (Ind.), candidate for U.S. Senate
- 10 a.m. — Scott Colom (D), candidate for U.S. Senate
- 10:10 a.m. — Break
- 10:20 a.m. — David McRae (R), state treasurer
- 10:30 a.m. — Lynn Fitch (R), attorney general
- 10:40 a.m. — Delbert Hosemann (R), lieutenant governor
Thursday, June 25
- 9 a.m. — Scott Bounds (R), state representative, District 44
- 9:10 a.m. — DeKeither Stamps (D), public service commissioner, Central District
- 9:20 a.m. — Willie Simmons (D), transportation commissioner, Central District
- 9:30 a.m. — Jenifer Branning, Mississippi Supreme Court justice, District 1, Place 3
- 9:40 a.m. — Kenny Griffis, Mississippi Supreme Court justice, District 1, Place 1
- 9:50 a.m. — Break
- 10 a.m. — Andy Gipson (R), commissioner of agriculture and commerce
- 10:10 a.m. — Michael Watson (R), secretary of state
- 10:20 a.m. — Jason White (R), speaker of the Mississippi House
- 10:30 a.m. — Tate Reeves (R), governor
Republican State Auditor Shad White will not attend the fair due to military obligations. White serves as an officer in the Mississippi National Guard.
Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and U.S. Rep. Michael Guest, both Republicans seeking reelection in 2026, will remain in Washington and not participate in political speaking at the Neshoba County Fair.
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Gov. Tate Reeves said Mississippi’s total nonfarm employment reached a new all-time high in May, topping 1.19 million jobs.
The state said the number shows its economic development strategy is working. Workforce leaders said the job market includes opportunities for people who are unemployed or looking for better-paying work.
Workforce leaders point to training options
Blaise King, director of strategy and alignment for Accelerate Mississippi, said job seekers should not let timelines or a lack of skills keep them from pursuing work.
“Not everything has to be a degree. It can be short-term training that can get you into work quickly and making good money,” King said.
King said Mississippi is seeing strong demand for construction jobs, driven in part by new data centers coming to the state. He said those jobs can lead to long-term careers.
“Someone could very easily have a career in the construction trades and move up beyond manual labor to the project manager and things like that to really have a high quality of life for them, for their family, and contribute back to society,” King said.
Advanced manufacturing is also a high-priority occupational sector.
Employers looking for skills and commitment
John McKay, president and CEO of the Mississippi Business Alliance, said opportunities exist across job sectors.
“There’s really no sector where there’s no opportunity,” McKay said.
McKay said companies are willing to invest in workers who show commitment.
“They’re willing to put that money on the line because they are really there. There’s a deep need for skilled people who can come in and kind of be ready on day one, and they’re willing to invest that capital in that,” McKay said.
McKay said soft skills can help job seekers get started.
“I will say that employers are most excited about an individual that has the drive and determination to show up to work every day and put in the effort. And so if your problem is you think you have a lack of skill or education, do not let that be a barrier,” McKay said.
While opportunities exist statewide, unemployment rates show an uneven distribution of economic success. The rates range from a low of 2.5% in Rankin County to a high of 8.8% in Issaquena County.
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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Eleven people have been indicted in connection with an alleged Medicaid fraud scheme involving more than $12.3 million.
This according to Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who said the indictments involve allegations of fraudulent billing, wire fraud, and/or false documentation seeking to defraud the government.
All 11 charged include:
- Isluv Robertson, 36, of Jackson
- Shawncee Vassar-Cunningham, 51, of Olive Branch
- Katricia Smith, 47, of Olive Branch
- Sheila Boney Collins, 53, of Hollandale
- Ahyana Nicole Crosby, 34, of Laurel
- Angela Nannette Crosby, 51, of Laurel
- Yolanda Evette Blackman, 54, of Hattiesburg
- Linda Jenkins, 46, of Hermanville
- Deja Almore, 30, of Yazoo City
- Curtis Moore, 51, of Gulfport
- Taylor Christian Rushing, 34, of Gautier
Officials said the defendants are accused of participating in health care fraud schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in intended loss.
“These indictments are just the latest efforts we are taking to fight waste, fraud, and corruption,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “I am proud to partner with President Trump to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure that money meant to help those in need is not stolen from safety net programs. I will remain laser-focused on rooting out fraud, recovering money wrongfully stolen from hard-working taxpayers, and holding fraudsters accountable.”
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Copyright 2026 WLBT. All rights reserved.
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