BILOXI, Miss. – Nearly a year after Governor Tate Reeves signed medical marijuana into law, patients in Mississippi are finally set to access cannabis products. This week marks a significant milestone as dispensary owners prepare for product availability.
Patient Relief Following Long Wait
For many, including Tom Goldman, who is among over 1,700 patients enrolled in Mississippi’s medical marijuana program, this moment is one of hope and relief. “I’ve been waiting for this day for so long – smoking marijuana legally,” Goldman expressed. “I thought I would be dead before this day showed up.” Goldman, who faces challenges due to Parkinson’s disease and chronic knee pain, has endured a lengthy qualification process to obtain his medical card.
Recent developments have brought renewed optimism. On Sunday night, Goldman received an email notifying him that his medical card had been activated by the Mississippi State Department of Health. “I opened it up and I said what?” he remarked.
Dispensary Preparedness
Local dispensaries have begun to register patients as the activation of medical cards allows for entries into the state’s system. Elizabeth Cavanaugh, owner of Coastal Capital Dispensary, noted that they had refrained from processing patients without activated cards. “Now that the cards are active, we’ve probably had about 50 people reach out in the last two days,” Cavanaugh stated. “It’s an extreme relief.”
Cavanaugh indicated that product would likely be available by Wednesday, with the dispensary opening at 9 a.m. for in-store purchases after a categorization process. This development aligns with the anticipation from patients eager to procure their medication.
Positive Outlook for Mississippi
Goldman believes the implementation of medical marijuana will yield broader benefits for Mississippi. “After everybody gets used to what’s being done, I think it’s going to be the best for Mississippi,” he stated.
To register at a dispensary, patients must present their medical card, driver’s license, and current state-issued ID.
As the medical marijuana market begins to take shape in Mississippi, it opens new avenues for both patients and businesses while furthering discussions about cannabis policy and regulation in the state.
