BILOXI, Miss. – Nearly one year after the approval of medical marijuana sales in Mississippi, patients still face challenges in obtaining medical marijuana cards. Despite the anticipated rollout, complications abound, with some individuals falling prey to scams amid the evolving industry landscape.
Challenges in Obtaining Medical Marijuana Cards
To qualify for medical marijuana in Mississippi, patients must have at least one of the designated conditions. Long Beach resident Tommy Goldman, who suffers from chronic knee pain and recent Parkinson’s diagnosis, illustrates the struggle.
In May, Kevin Webster, owner of Ride to Wellness, advertised assistance with the medical marijuana application process for a fee of $199. Goldman opted for this service in September, but after paying, he found no representatives at a designated meeting spot, and his attempts to contact Webster were unsuccessful.
“I tried calling him and haven’t heard anything from him since I gave him the money,” said Goldman. Despite multiple Facebook pages claiming to operate in various states, Ride to Wellness has been inactive on its Mississippi page since July, and the associated website is non-functional.
John O’Hara, President of the Mississippi Better Business Bureau, highlighted reports of scams linked to this organization in other states like Oklahoma, advising prospective patients to conduct thorough research before paying for services, particularly in a newly legalized industry.
Practitioner Participation in Medical Marijuana Program
Dr. Philip Levin is one of only 122 practitioners authorized by the State Health Department to recommend medical marijuana in Mississippi. He notes that the extensive requirements for patient evaluations can deter practitioners from getting involved.
“It’s not an easy procedure,” said Levin. “You have to check medical records, conduct drug screenings, and perform physical exams, which makes it difficult to manage a clinic while spending significant time on certification.” This bottleneck in certification is hindering patient access to dispensaries, despite cultivators being prepared to distribute their products.
Currently, around 1,000 patients have been approved to purchase medical marijuana in the state, but Levin points out that the certification process remains a significant barrier to product availability.
Path Forward for Patients
For those interested in accessing medical cannabis, Dr. Levin advocates starting with a trusted family physician. “My recommendation would be to have your own private physician either do it or refer you to someone you know and trust like you would with any specialist,” he stated.
Levin anticipates that medical marijuana products will be available for purchase in early 2023, a timeline that many, including Goldman, hope arrives soon. “I’m going to be happy when I get it because it’s going to be legal. That’s all I want, for it to be legal,” Goldman expressed.
For a list of certified medical practitioners in Mississippi, visit this resource.
