Mississippi’s Medical Marijuana program officially commenced on June 1, 2022, as the Mississippi State Department of Health began accepting applications. Applications are now open for various aspects of the industry, including cultivation, processing, transportation, disposal, research testing, patient ID cards, and physician certification. Individuals and businesses seeking work permits are also able to apply.
However, the Mississippi Department of Revenue will not begin accepting dispensary applications until July, creating a 30-day waiting period between application phases. This delay exists to ensure that dispensaries have product to offer, with the initial focus of the state being on product availability.
Application Process
All applications are submitted digitally through the Mississippi Department of Health website. There is a critical requirement for those seeking a patient ID card: they must first be certified by a doctor. Given that June 1 was the first day for physicians to apply for state certification, there is a possibility that few patient applications will be completed initially. Moreover, physicians are required to register with the Department of Health and have completed eight hours of medical cannabis continuing education to certify patients.
The Department of Health expressed optimism in the timely approval of applications, aiming for a five-day turnaround for full applications. However, the approval time can vary depending on the license type, potentially extending to 30 days for some applications. Meanwhile, several cultivators are already building their facilities, hoping to produce products by late 2022.
Legislative Context
After a challenging period regarding the legalization of medical marijuana, Mississippi passed legislation in February 2022. Unlike neighboring states like Louisiana and Arkansas, Mississippi’s program does not impose caps on business licenses and features a tiered licensing fee structure, making it more accessible for smaller businesses.
Under the law, local communities were given until May 3 to determine whether they would allow specific marijuana-related businesses to operate within their jurisdictions. This provision primarily affects dispensaries, cultivators, and processing facilities. Communities can choose to opt back in at any time, with residents having the option to request special elections for such decisions.
Counties and Municipalities Opting Out
Several counties and municipalities have opted out of allowing marijuana businesses, including:
- Counties: Carroll, Calhoun, Choctaw, George County, Lauderdale, Leflore, Lincoln, Montgomery, Neshoba, Newton, Pearl River County, Pontotoc, Tippah, Webster.
- Municipalities: Amory, Ashland, Belmont, Brandon, Caledonia, Carrollton, Clinton, D’Iberville, Ecru, Flora, Greenwood, Gluckstadt, Horn Lake, Lucedale, Madison, New Albany, Noxapater, Pass Christian, Pontotoc, Ridgeland, Southaven, Sumrall, Tishomingo, Vaiden, Winona (which opted in for dispensaries but out for processing and cultivation).
As Mississippi moves forward in establishing its medical marijuana program, the emphasis remains on creating a regulated, business-friendly environment while addressing the needs of local communities.
