Buell Polk has owned retail pharmacies in Mississippi since 1978. The locally-owned business has expanded to nine Polk’s Drugs locations throughout the state. About 18 months ago, around the time Mississippi voters approved a ballot initiative establishing the framework for medical marijuana, Polk purchased a building in Brandon for a new retail site, uncertain of its future purpose. With the legalization of medical marijuana, Polk has shown interest in using the site as a licensed cannabis dispensary, highlighting the long history of federally authorized cannabis research at the University of Mississippi in Oxford.
“Historically, medical cannabis has been around for hundreds of years worldwide. It has been used in more than 30 other states for years with notable success. Why would we not want to offer it to the citizens of Mississippi?” he said.
Challenges in the Local Landscape
Polk faces a significant hurdle in this plan, as Brandon is among several cities that have voted to opt out of allowing dispensaries, cultivators, and cannabis processors. Other towns, including Ridgeland, Pass Christian, and Gluckstadt, have also chosen not to participate in the medical marijuana industry. Local leaders have until 90 days after the law was signed on February 2 to make these decisions.
Brandon Mayor Butch Lee expressed concerns regarding the regulation of the program, stating that city leaders prefer to wait and see how the situation unfolds. “We need more information and want to give it some time to let the dust settle,” he noted.
Community Impact and Future Prospects
Polk advocated for the dispensary at the Brandon board meeting on March 7, emphasizing the proposed location’s accessibility to four assisted living facilities, several retail pharmacies, a hospital, and medical clinics. “Those who qualify for medical marijuana are still going to be able to obtain it, but now will have to go to another jurisdiction,” he explained.
Clint Patterson, CEO of Mockingbird Cannabis, stressed the importance of site selection when establishing cannabis production facilities. “We chose not to fall in love with a piece of property and to remain outside of a municipality. Our feeling is, we don’t want to be in a community that doesn’t want us,” he commented, indicating the potential challenges of odors and traffic associated with cannabis operations.
Patterson noted that they hope to open several licensed dispensaries but have yet to secure locations. Local leaders have until the first week of May to opt out, with ongoing dialogue vital to ensuring community comfort as the cannabis industry develops.
Grassroots Efforts for Change
The Mississippi Cannabis Trade Association is leading initiatives to gather signatures for a special election aimed at reversing local leaders’ decisions to opt out. They have partnered with businesses in Ridgeland and Brandon, including Polk’s Drugs, to facilitate this effort. Communications director Melvin Robinson reported the association’s commitment to collecting signatures in Brandon and plans for drives in Gluckstadt and Pass Christian.
A total of 1,500 signatures or 20% of the population in those cities is required to hold a special election. While Polk awaits the decision on whether Brandon will allow dispensaries, he noted that he cannot apply for a dispensary license until June, should sufficient voter support be cultivated.
“At the end of the day, this is going to go back to the voters,” Polk stated.