Wildflower LLC, a new cannabis dispensary, is set to open next to Southern Flour Bakery, owned by Nicole Huff, at 1920 Highway 45 N. This venture comes after Huff, who suffered from debilitating back pain due to a previous car accident, experienced significant relief with medical marijuana following her acquisition of a Missouri medical marijuana card in 2020.
“I was apprehensive about getting a medical card, but it worked. I slept all night without pain,” Huff explained.
Licensing Approval and Business Plans
Huff’s dispensary license was approved by the state just 13 days after her application was submitted to the Mississippi Department of Revenue, making Wildflower the first dispensary to receive approval in Columbus. The business, aiming to provide relief and care to the local community, reflects the state’s recent endorsement of medical cannabis through the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act.
This act permits individuals with qualifying medical conditions, such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, and glaucoma, to obtain medical marijuana cards, allowing them to access designated dispensaries.
Challenges in the Market
With dispensary licenses allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, Huff’s approval poses challenges for other local entrepreneurs. Corey Herring is seeking a license in North Gate Plaza, while Deneisha and Amber Glenn of Holistika LLC aimed to establish a dispensary at the old Tuesday Morning building at 2003 Highway 45 N. Unfortunately, both locations fall within close proximity to Huff’s approved site.
Despite these challenges, Huff is committed to launching her dispensary, investing $200,000 of her own funds, with plans to open between December and January, depending on crop production timelines. She intends to hire at least five employees, offering competitive wages above the minimum wage of $7.25.
Regulatory Compliance and Security Measures
Prior to receiving her dispensary license, Huff completed various regulatory requirements, including obtaining a business license, submitting a detailed application, and paying a $15,000 application fee alongside a $25,000 annual licensing fee. Additional costs for surveying the building and renovation plans have totaled around $10,000, and renovations are projected to be approximately $150,000.
To ensure compliance and safety, marijuana products will not be visible from the street, and Huff plans to implement rigorous security measures. This includes a budget of $30,000 per month for armed security, given the cash-based nature of transactions in cannabis retail.
“They will have to get through my armed guard, myself, and my 100-pound German Shepherd,” Huff stated, emphasizing the importance of security in the cannabis industry.
