Overview

• A federal appeals court ruled that Mississippi's ban on medical marijuana advertising does not violate the First Amendment.
• The court's decision is based on the federal Controlled Substances Act, which deems marijuana illegal nationwide despite state-level legalization efforts.
• Clarence Cocroft II, a dispensary owner, challenged the ban, arguing it limits his ability to reach customers and educate the public about the program.
• The state permits limited promotional activities, such as maintaining websites and sponsoring charitable events, but prohibits mass advertising via billboards, print, or broadcast media.
• Cocroft and his legal team, represented by the Institute for Justice, are considering further legal action, including a potential appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.