Patient advocates are gearing up for a late 2022 launch of medical cannabis in Mississippi, with nearly 120 dispensaries licensed and ready to operate. Medical cannabis patients in the state may be able to purchase products from these dispensaries as soon as next month. According to Melvin Robinson, executive director of the Mississippi Cannabis Trade Association, medical cannabis could be available by the end of October. “Licensing started in June, so we have a lot of people that made the effort to make sure that they could provide products for patients ASAP,” Robinson stated on The Other Side podcast. He added, “I would not be surprised at all if you could walk into a dispensary and buy products on October 31st.”
As of now, 119 dispensary licenses have been issued, following the state’s review of applications that began in July. The patient portal saw approximately 1,800 account registrations soon after opening in June, with advocates anticipating that number to grow as more residents realize the availability of medical cards. Earlier this week, the Mississippi Cannabis Patients Alliance (MCPA) hosted its first patient seminar, acquainting hundreds of attendees—including patients, caregivers, and industry stakeholders—with new regulations and available products.
Legislative Background and Progress
The journey to legalize medical cannabis in Mississippi began back in November 2020, following the citizen-driven Initiative Measure No. 65, which aimed to amend the state constitution to allow for a statewide medical cannabis program. Although the Mississippi Supreme Court overturned the initiative in May 2021, stating that the election law was outdated, significant strides were made thereafter. Governor Tate Reeves signed Senate Bill 2095 into law on January 26, 2022, with overwhelming support from the legislature.
In a tweet, Governor Reeves acknowledged the potential benefits of access to medically prescribed cannabis, while expressing concerns over recreational marijuana use. Ten months later, medical cannabis products may become accessible in dispensaries by October. The state has already collected $6 million from licensing fees required for businesses wishing to partake in the medical cannabis market, with significant investments noted from companies like Mockingbird.
Regulatory Framework and Patient Access
On June 1, 2022, Mississippi opened the application process for individuals to enroll in the state’s medical cannabis program. Applications for patients, medical practitioners, facilities, and transportation services are hosted on the Mississippi Department of Health website. To qualify for a medical cannabis card, applicants must have physician approval, pass background checks, and submit fingerprints. The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act outlines approximately 20 qualifying medical conditions, including cancer, PTSD, and chronic pain.
Cards will be valid for 12 months at a nonrefundable fee of $25, with reduced fees for Medicare patients and waivers for veterans and disabled first responders. Medical cardholders will be permitted to purchase up to 21 grams weekly and 84 grams monthly from licensed dispensaries.
Facilities and Dispensary Licensing
Facilities, including cultivation, processing, and testing operations, must also adhere to strict licensing requirements. Applicants are required to register online through the Department of Health and submit comprehensive facility plans. The same goes for dispensary licenses, where equity applicants receive priority consideration. The Mississippi Department of Revenue manages the dispensary application process, requiring various documentation including operational and business plans.
As the state moves closer to a fully operational medical cannabis framework, the impact on local health and the economy continues to unfold, presenting new opportunities in Mississippi’s emerging cannabis industry.
