As the first company in Mississippi to gain licensing for medical cannabis cultivation and processing, Southern Crop is establishing a significant relationship with its hometown of Meridian. The company’s chief marketing officer, Yesenia Garcia, reported a favorable initial reception from the community.
“The people of Meridian make it a great place to be, and being a part of this community is essential to the development of the city and the cannabis program,” Garcia stated. “We strive to be good stewards by ensuring we provide competitive wages and career development opportunities and by supporting local groups.”
Hiring and Job Opportunities
According to Craig Hitt, Meridian’s community development director, Southern Crop has not yet begun hiring for positions to operate the facility, which will grow and process marijuana into products for retail sale.
“There are lots of construction jobs on site, and they have also hired a security group that is present around the clock. However, they have not started hiring workers yet,” Hitt noted. “I recently spoke with a representative from Southern Crop, and they anticipate being fully operational by the beginning of the year, leading to job creation in the coming months.”
It’s estimated that a large marijuana cultivation facility could need to employ between 150 to 200 individuals, with potential salaries reaching $50,000 annually. Over 100 medical cannabis growing and processing facilities have received licenses in Mississippi, with three located in Meridian, which had a 3.8 percent unemployment rate as of September.
One job opportunity at Southern Crop is for a cultivation technician, offering $20 per hour. The position requires candidates to be over the age of 21, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and be willing to work weekends and some holidays.
Community Sentiment Towards Medical Cannabis
Hitt expressed that the prospect of high-paying jobs is among the reasons Meridian’s residents have responded positively to the medical cannabis industry. “It has been favorable. I was somewhat surprised by how positively it has been received,” he remarked.
In contrast, other areas in Lauderdale County have shown more hesitancy. The Town of Marion has opted out of allowing medical marijuana-related businesses, with county supervisors doing the same; however, residents have petitioned for a vote on the matter, scheduled for November 8. Voters in the county expressed support for allowing cultivation, processing, and sales of medical marijuana, with 58.4% in favor.
Guidance from Industry Experience
Throughout this transition, Hitt stated that Meridian has benefitted from Southern Crop’s extensive background in the medical marijuana sector. “It is different for us because it is also new, and we are learning as we go, interpreting the legislation. It has been streamlined thanks to the experience of companies like Southern Crop that have operated in other states,” he explained.
Established in 2020 by a group of investors that includes Randy Mire, a pharmacist from Louisiana, Southern Crop seeks to engage further with the Meridian community. Mire is also the CEO and founder of Capitol Wellness Solutions in Baton Rouge, which operates as a licensed medical marijuana pharmacy.
Garcia emphasized the company’s focus on community engagement. “Our emphasis will be on educating the community about the program structure, how to become a patient, and the benefits of a regulated market,” she stated. “Education and destigmatizing the industry are central to our marketing efforts.”
Southern Crop anticipates commencing product sales around January 15, 2023. While many in Meridian hope that residents will not need these services, a complaint form regarding licensed medical cannabis establishments is available on the Mississippi Department of Health website.
