Section 41-138-3 - Medical Cannabis Research Advisory Board; purpose; composition; meetings; terms(1) There is established the Medical Cannabis Research Advisory Board, which shall be the board that is required to advise and review research about medical cannabis and cannabinoid research activities, status of research plans and research budget, and research findings of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Research Program at the National Center for Cannabis Research and Education at the University of Mississippi.(2) The advisory board shall consist of eleven (11) members, as follows: (a) The Governor shall appoint four (4) members to the committee, as follows: (i) Two (2) Medical Cannabis Researchers from the University of Mississippi's NCCRE;(ii) One (1) registered qualifying patient enrolled in medical cannabis research in Mississippi; and(iii) One (1) physician who is a Mississippi registered cannabis practitioner with over one hundred (100) cannabis patients.(b) The Lieutenant Governor shall appoint four (4) members, as follows: (i) One (1) medical cannabis research scientist;(ii) One (1) representative from the MDOH who is involved in the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program;(iii) One (1) advanced practice registered nurse who is a Mississippi registered cannabis practitioner with over one hundred (100) patients; and(iv) One (1) medical cannabis research technologist.(c) The Speaker of the House shall appoint three (3) members, as follows: (i) One (1) physician experienced as a principal investigator in cannabinoid research and/or clinical trials;(ii) One (1) epidemiologist; and(iii) One (1) patient care advocate.(3) The advisory board shall meet at least every three (3) months or as often as necessary for the purpose of evaluating and making recommendations to the Legislature and the MDOH and MDOR regarding: (a) Developing evidence-based guidance for treatment with medical cannabis based on the latest medical research that shall include: (i) For each qualifying condition, a summary of the latest medical research regarding the treatment of the qualifying condition with medical cannabis;(ii) Risks, contraindications, side effects, and adverse reactions that are associated with medical cannabis use; and(iii) Potential drug interactions between medical cannabis and medications that have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration; and(b) Educate recommending medical providers, pharmacy medical providers, medical cannabis cardholders, and the public regarding: (i) The evidence-based guidance for treatment with medical cannabis;(ii) Relevant warnings and safety information related to medical cannabis use; and(iii) Other topics related to medical cannabis use as determined by the department.(4) The Chairman of the Medical Cannabis Research Advisory Board shall be elected by the voting members of the board annually and shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive years as chairman.(5) The members of the Medical Cannabis Research Advisory Board specified in subsection (2) of this section shall serve for terms that are concurrent with the terms of members of the Legislature, and any member appointed under subsection (2) of this section may be reappointed to the advisory board. The members of the advisory board specified in subsection (2) of this section shall serve without compensation but shall receive reimbursement to defray actual expenses incurred in the performance of board business as authorized by law. The board shall:
(a) Nominate a board member to serve as chairperson of the board by a majority vote of the board members; and(b) Meet as often as necessary to accomplish the duties assigned to the board under this act.(6) Each board member, including the chair, has one (1) vote.(7)(a) A majority of board members constitutes a quorum.(b) A vote of a majority of the quorum at any board meeting is necessary to take action on behalf of the board.(8) Subject to appropriation, a board member: (a) Shall receive a per diem in the amount provided in Section 25-3-69 for each day engaged in the business of the board; and(b) Shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while engaged in official business of the board in accordance with Section 25-3-41.(9) The MDOH and MDOR shall act swiftly to assist the Advisory Board with any request.Added by Laws, 2024, ch. 317, SB 2888,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2024.