After years of legislative and legal delays, Mississippi’s medical marijuana industry is gradually taking shape. Since June 1, a select group of medical providers, patients, and businesses have received approval from the Mississippi State Department of Health, which is currently processing applications.
Industry Developments
Entrepreneurs like Jared Kobs, co-founder of Kudzu Cannabis, received a cultivation license in early July. This milestone allows the company to work towards making products available by the end of the year, marking the culmination of years of effort. Kobs’ team began developing their cultivation, processing, and distribution center in Canton in 2021. They also applied for processing and transportation licenses, as well as three dispensary licenses.
“We were told they would need extra time on those licenses, and we should hear back on the dispensary licenses within 30 days. They are getting stuff done,” Kobs noted.
Upcoming Harvests and Research
Mockingbird Cannabis is another company securing cultivation and processing licenses, with its facility located in Hinds County. CEO Clint Patterson announced plans for their first harvest in October, with a limited selection of products expected this fall. The company has also applied for a research license, currently on hold, aiming to advance understanding of cannabis health benefits.
“Because it has been illegal for so long, research has been limited. I believe the state could take the lead in this area. A coalition of universities, the Department of Health, and companies could enhance the legitimacy of this data,” Patterson stated.
Regulatory Oversight
The Mississippi State Department of Health oversees the licensing process for most medical marijuana-related businesses. As of July 28, the department has issued 16 business licenses, including those for cultivators and processors. Furthermore, they have processed 36 applications for medical providers and 25 for patients.
Ken Newburger of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association emphasized the competitive nature of dispensary licenses, noting specific zoning requirements. Dispensaries must be at least 1,500 feet apart and a minimum of 1,000 feet from schools and churches. Over 100 dispensary applications were received within the first hour of the portal opening in early July, although the pace has since slowed.
Newburger anticipates an uptick in approved businesses in the coming months, stating that the Department of Health is actively assisting applicants. He also expects the number of patients with medical marijuana cards to rise as products become available early next year.
Patient Advice
Angie Calhoun, founder of the Mississippi Cannabis Patients Alliance, advises members to wait until October to apply for medical marijuana cards, as they will need to be recertified within 12 months. “As soon as they let dispensaries open, patients will be notified that their cards are active,” she explained. “There is no real reason to rush at this time.”
New Clinics and Care Options
Tia Beasley has joined Pause Pain & Wellness, a new clinic focused on using medical marijuana for chronic pain treatment. With experience in various medical fields, she aims to provide new care options in light of limited traditional treatments. The clinic’s founder, Dr. Kirk Kinard, believes many chronic pain patients will seek medical marijuana as an alternative. He plans to open additional clinics in Oxford, Jackson, and Meridian, with the first three slated for operation in August.
“There are many patients interested in getting the process started, and we want to handle the increased demand,” Kinard said.