Mississippi’s medical marijuana program has significantly progressed in recent months, with cultivators beginning to harvest the first plants accessible for patient consumption. In a recent briefing, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) announced the issuance of provisional licenses to 138 dispensaries, eight processors, three disposal entities, four transportation entities, and 47 cultivators. Additionally, 117 practitioners have been authorized to write prescriptions, and 406 patients have been admitted to the program. MSDH has also granted work permits to 491 individuals, enabling them to participate in the growing industry.
Cultivator Spotlight: Southern Sky Brands
Among the licensed cultivators is Southern Sky Brands, which boasts a $40 million marijuana growing facility located in Canton, just off the interstate. According to CEO Steve Merritt, “We have four grow rooms. We’re looking at our first crop yielding around 60 pounds, and eventually, we expect to achieve quadruple that.” Merritt recently provided exclusive access to the facility, emphasizing stringent hygiene protocols; news crews were required to wear protective clothing such as hairnets, gloves, and disposable shoe covers to prevent external contamination.
“We gown up to ensure that we don’t introduce pesticides or pests, mold, or mildew that could harm the plants,” Merritt noted. “You don’t want to consume marijuana that’s contaminated.” The plants have been under cultivation for the last six weeks, receiving 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of darkness, with constant care—portable fans are used around the clock to foster growth, and classical music is played in the background, a practice Merritt describes as potentially beneficial.
Mississippi Cannabis Trade Association Insights
Melvin Robinson from the Mississippi Cannabis Trade Association remarked on the burgeoning industry, highlighting dozens of cultivators like Southern Sky Brands throughout the state, along with smaller micro-cultivators. “Our cannabis industry is steadily expanding,” Robinson stated. “Micro-cultivators are slightly smaller operations, but they play an integral role in our market. Various companies are now reaping their harvests, which indicates they have successfully cultivated their products.”
Merritt confirmed that Southern Sky Brands has begun its first harvest. “After harvesting, we must dry, process, and cure the product before it becomes medicine,” he explained. Before reaching market, the cannabis will undergo testing at a state-approved laboratory. According to Kris Jones, director of Mississippi’s medical cannabis program, patients with prescriptions may be able to purchase the initial products from dispensaries by late this year or early next year.
