The inaugural Cannabis Festival Mississippi “went so well that we’re going to do two days next year,” said event organizer Natalie Bonner. On Saturday, a lively crowd attended a day filled with information sessions, music, and cannabis-related networking in downtown Biloxi’s District Green.
“We didn’t have any hiccups; we had a wonderful turnout. Our information sessions were packed. People were eager to learn,” Bonner added. The festival served as a platform for those casually curious about cannabis to gain insights ahead of Mississippi’s medical marijuana program rollout, as well as for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to enter the emerging cannabis industry.
Interest Across Generations
Bonner noted her surprise at the substantial number of baby boomers attending, eager to learn about cultivation and how cannabis interacts with the human body. “A lot of people left informed and educated,” she remarked. Many attendees raised questions about their Second Amendment rights, to which she responded, “If you own guns now, you’re fine, but you can’t get a new license” if prescribed medical marijuana under the current legislation.
“We’re going to work at the Capitol to see if we can get some amendments to that current provision,” she added.
Networking and Strategy
For advocates and entrepreneurs invested in the legalization movement, the event also served as a celebration of the victory represented by the medical cannabis bill, coupled with a strategic discussion on future developments. Approximately 50 attendees, double the capacity of the tent, participated in a session focusing on the policy details of the medical marijuana program. Legalization advocates Ken Newburger, Bethany Hill, and former Ocean Springs mayor Shea Dobson provided business owners with practical advice, ranging from applying for bank loans for cannabis dispensaries to understanding THC content restrictions.
Hill advised caution in naming cannabis-related businesses to avoid deterring lenders, while Newburger explained that cannabis flower will be capped at 30% THC and other products at 60%, a limitation he acknowledged is especially challenging for vape cartridges. The panel also addressed enforcement of the requirement that dispensaries maintain a distance of at least 1,500 feet from one another, noting that details are still being clarified.
Business Aspirations and Concerns
One audience member, Mike Haddox, plans to open a dispensary along Mississippi 59 in Hattiesburg named Mary Jane and Herb’s, a nod to his grandmother and father. “I’ve kind of been joking about this my whole life. I can’t even really take credit for the name,” he told the Sun Herald. Haddox attended the event to network with others in the industry, emphasizing its people-oriented nature.
Despite his enthusiasm, Haddox expressed concern over the evolving landscape of regulations for dispensary licensing. “I’m trying to build a building in the next couple of months based on rules and regulations that aren’t even set in stone. And then once the licensing comes out, it’s kind of a dog fight to see who gets a license because of the 1,500 feet spacing requirements,” he stated.
