EAST LINCOLN — Jason McDonald and his husband Timothy Gibson, known for their Great Mississippi Tea Company, have embarked on a new venture in the medical marijuana industry. After the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors initially opted out of medical marijuana, the couple played a crucial role in bringing about its legalization at the local level. Following a voter decision to re-enter the program, they initiated plans to establish a Medical Marijuana Cultivation facility named SADUJA, located on their property in East Lincoln.
First licensed to grow hemp in 2021, SADUJA received its medical marijuana cultivation license on December 22. The legalization of hemp at the federal level through the 2018 Farm Bill, followed by its approval in Mississippi in 2020, established the foundation for this transition. Unlike hemp, which contains less than 0.3% THC and does not produce intoxicating effects, medical marijuana encompasses a broader spectrum of THC levels.
Local Perspectives on Medical Marijuana
McDonald highlighted the community’s misconceptions regarding crime rates and property values related to cannabis cultivation, stating, “Crime rates haven’t gone up, property values haven’t gone down like people thought.” With their experience in hemp cultivation, they supplied local shops across Mississippi long before medical marijuana was legalized. He emphasized that cannabis was already being grown legally at their farm prior to medical approval.
The couple faces challenges in hiring for the cannabis facility, as employees must be 21 years or older, U.S. citizens without felony records, and pass a thorough background check. Employees are required to obtain licenses from the Mississippi Department of Health, underscoring the rigorous regulatory environment surrounding medical marijuana cultivation. McDonald also noted that their facility is monitored intensely, with extensive surveillance to ensure compliance.
To ensure optimal growth, the cultivation process mimics summer conditions with extended light exposure, resulting in noticeable greenhouse lighting during nighttime. The couple anticipates their first harvest approximately twelve weeks after planting, with products expected to enter the market by the third quarter of the fiscal year.
Operational Demands and Sustainability Goals
Transitioning from tea to cannabis cultivation has proven labor-intensive; while they previously managed their ten-acre tea farm independently, they have now hired five full-time staff for the cannabis operation. Operating at the lower end of Tier 2 cultivators with 5,500 square feet, they face a significant increase in workload compared to their tea farm.
McDonald commented on the complexity of cannabis farming: “It is twice as much work as what we do with the tea farm.” He mentioned the importance of meticulous record-keeping and compliance, which led to hiring additional personnel to manage regulatory obligations.
As they strive for sustainability within the cannabis market, McDonald remains optimistic about the future: “We hope to build something which will be around in five years. There are too many people in the business right now and market saturation will happen.” They are committed to being responsible business operators in Brookhaven and aspire to positively impact local patients and the community.