The Drug Enforcement Administration has begun conducting on-site inspections at marijuana dispensaries in Mississippi that registered for federal protections under the Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling process, the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association (3MA) confirmed to Marijuana Moment last week.
Henry Crisler, director of 3MA, says two member dispensaries received visits from federal officials after completing the DEA’s registration form for medical marijuana dispensaries. “They were told that they were among the first in the country to be visited,” Crisler says. “Both dispensaries were visited by 5-6 representatives, and the general tone was collaborative/inquisitive.” He adds: “It seems that the DEA is taking a very slow/curious approach to the entire deal. They had a lot of questions regarding general practices.”
David Fowler, owner of High Street Dispensary in Jackson, Mississippi, says DEA agents spent about six hours at his facility. The officials were “very cordial” and “did not come in overbearing,” he says. “I’m not threatened. It’s just another set of eyes and ears, except it’s at the federal level, really not different than the state side of it.” Fowler describes the agents as “new to this whole process too,” saying they approached the visit with an attitude of “we’re gonna work on it together.” “Overall I think as a business it’s going to be very beneficial for us to be able to get the tax breaks that we need to be successful, just like any other business,” he says, referring to the tax deductions that Schedule III status unlocks.
Legally Rooted in Meridian also received a visit from the DEA, according to 3MA. Crisler says agents requested documentation from both dispensaries during the visits without providing a comprehensive list in advance. Items requested include license transfer records, ownership information including Social Security numbers, full inventory lists, vendor lists, employee records, security plans, and METRC purchase history.
The DEA launched its initial registration form for dispensaries in April, shortly after Acting Attorney General Blanche issued an order moving state-licensed medical marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. A broader rescheduling hearing is scheduled to begin later this month, and the DEA says it will soon release registration forms for additional business types including manufacturers, distributors, and laboratories.