Legal medicinal cannabis could reach Mississippi by the end of October
Patient advocates are preparing for a late 2022 launch with nearly 120 licensed and operational pharmacies.
Medical cannabis patients in Mississippi could be purchasing from state-licensed dispensaries as early as next month.
So what’s the schedule? Melvin Robinson, executive director of the Mississippi Cannabis Trade Association, says medicinal cannabis could be available in Mississippi by the end of October.
“Licensing started in June, so we have a lot of people who have been striving to make sure they can get product to patients as soon as possible,” Robinson said on The Other Side podcast. “I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you could go to a pharmacy and buy products on October 31,” he added.
According to the state registry, 119 pharmacy licenses have been issued so far. Mississippi began reviewing store applications in July. The state’s patient portal registered around 1,800 applicants when it opened in June. However, proponents expect that number to increase as residents realize how quickly they can use their health cards.
Earlier this week, the Mississippi Cannabis Patients Alliance (MCPA) held its first patient seminar. The event introduced patients to new regulations and available products.
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Hundreds of patients, caregivers, doctors, pharmacists, cultivators and advocates attended the seminar. Attendees learned how to obtain medical certification in Mississippi, gained insight into what medical cannabis diseases are eligible, and even discussed best practices for storing medical cannabis safely.
This is how Mississippi legalized medicinal cannabis
Legislatures first approved Senate Bill 2095, the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, on January 26, 2022 with overwhelming support from the Legislature. After Gov. Tate Reeves signed the law into law a week later, the state of Magnolia began expanding its medical marijuana program.
“There is no doubt that there are individuals in our state who could do significantly better if they had access to medically prescribed doses of cannabis,” Gov. Reeves wrote on Twitter after the signing. “There are also those who really want a recreational marijuana program that could result in more people smoking and fewer people working, with all the societal and family ills that entails,” the governor added.
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Ten months later, the tide is rolling in, and medicinal cannabis products could be in Mississippi dispensaries as early as October. The state has already raked in $6 million in revenue from royalties that companies like Mockingbird and Kudzu had to pay to participate in medicinal sales. Mockingbird has reportedly invested $30 million to open a 163,000 square foot cultivation and manufacturing facility.
The two-year effort to help patients
The state’s medical marijuana effort began in November 2020 when Mississippi voters passed the citizen-driven ballot initiative called Initiative Measure No. 65 launched and approved. The measure aimed to amend the Mississippi state constitution to allow for the creation of a statewide medicinal cannabis program.
Despite overwhelming support for the initiative, in May 2021 the Mississippi Supreme Court overturned Initiative No. 65 on the grounds that the state’s election statute, which governs electoral voting initiatives, is outdated and inapplicable. That’s water under the bridge now.
Gov. Reeves said he would call a special session to address the matter in September 2021 but never got through. In January of this year, a landslide Senate vote (47-5) showed lawmakers had enough power to overrule Gov. Tate’s forthcoming veto. The governor signed SB 2095 into law within weeks, visibly moved by the overwhelming support for the bill from lawmakers and local attorneys.
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On June 1, 2022, the Mississippi legislature announced the opening of the application process for individuals wishing to enroll in the state’s medical cannabis program as a patient, physician, facility and transportation service. The Mississippi Department of Health’s website hosts applications for all qualifying patients with a physician’s clearance, as well as for growers, processors, and testing facilities.
Before applying, applicants must read the entire Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act to understand the rules of the program and must complete a background check and be fingerprinted. Here’s how to get started.
How to apply for a medical marijuana ID card in Mississippi
The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act lists approximately 20 conditions and categories of conditions that qualify residents for a state medical cannabis card.
- Cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- muscular dystrophy
- glaucoma
- Spastic quadriplegia
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive status
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- hepatitis
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Crohn’s disease
- ulcerative colitis
- Sickle cell anemia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- excitement of dementia
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- autism
- Pain unresponsive to appropriate opioid treatment
- Diabetic/Peripheral Neuropathy
- Spinal cord disease or serious injury
- cachexia or wasting syndrome
- chronic pain
- Severe or persistent nausea
- seizures
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of multiple sclerosis
A full list of steps to apply to be a patient can be found here.
Cards are valid for 12 months and are available to patients for a $25 non-refundable fee. Veterans and disabled first responders will have these fees waived. Medicare patients pay a reduced fee of $15 per card. With one card, patients can buy up to 21 grams per week and 84 grams per month. That’s about 3 ounces a month.
How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Facility License
Operating licenses include cultivation, processing and testing operations. All facility applications can be found on the Mississippi Department of Health and Human Services regulations page. Prospective applicants must register through the DOH’s online portal and register with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.
In addition to mandatory background checks and application fees, applicants must submit the size, location, and staffing plans for their facility. A decision will be made on completed applications within 30 days.
How to apply for a medical marijuana dispensary license
Prospective pharmacies must apply for a license from the Mississippi Department of Revenue. Applicants must first register for a Mississippi sales tax account (and obtain a sales tax permit through TAP) and register with the Mississippi Secretary of State.
Applicants must also pay a license fee and provide all required information on the Mississippi Department of Treasury Pharmacy’s application website. This includes an operating plan, business permit, site plans and proof of lease. A decision will be made on completed applications within 30 days.
More cannabis news from the south
David Horton
Born in Mississippi, David Horton is a writer and activist focused on empowering marginalized communities. The Ole Miss graduate has studied religion, philosophy and political science and now uses his knowledge to challenge unjust systems of power.
Check out David Horton’s articles
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