Rootdown, a medical cannabis dispensary based in Mississippi, opened a new location in Oxford on April 9, contributing to the city’s expanding lineup of marijuana retailers. The company already operates in several other Mississippi cities, including Corinth, Grenada, Olive Branch, Senatobia, Starkville, and Tupelo.
Medical marijuana was legalized in Mississippi in 2022, enabling patients with qualifying conditions to access cannabis through licensed dispensaries. However, the landscape of medical cannabis in the state faced challenges when Governor Tate Reeves vetoed a bill on March 26 that aimed to broaden access to medical marijuana. Reeves cited concerns about loosened regulations and the potential influx of out-of-state residents into the program.
Legislation and Access Challenges
The vetoed House Bill 1152, known as the “Right to Try Medical Cannabis Act,” sought to allow patients with serious or terminal illnesses not currently covered under Mississippi’s program to petition for access to medical marijuana. It also proposed provisions for certain out-of-state residents to participate, a move that the Governor argued could detract from the program’s intended medical focus.
This decision highlights the ongoing uncertainty in Mississippi’s medical cannabis sector, affecting how businesses and patients navigate fluctuating regulations. This evolving environment is already influencing the operational strategies of cannabis enterprises across the state.
Local Business Commitment
Ross Ethridge, founder of Rootdown, mentioned that the company was established in response to growing interest in medical cannabis within the state, especially as external operators entered the market. “Rootdown is a Mississippi company — hard stop — founded, funded, and operated by Mississippians, for Mississippians,” Ethridge stated.
He characterized the Oxford location as a significant milestone for the company’s expansion in North Mississippi. Both Ethridge and co-founder Scott Noblitt are alumni of the University of Mississippi. “Oxford is an exclamation point and milestone for this journey,” he added.
Community Perspectives
Many residents view dispensaries as a beneficial evolution in healthcare, with some believing that medical cannabis can reduce reliance on prescription medications. “I believe that medical cannabis dispensaries are an excellent adaptation in society. They represent a slow but sure replacement of select prescription drugs,” said Oxford resident Cameron Cain.
Conversely, other community members have raised concerns about the increasing number of dispensaries, now totaling six in Oxford with the addition of Rootdown. Roxanne Baker, another local resident, expressed her worries regarding the lax standards for qualifications for use and emphasized that it should primarily be reserved for specific circumstances, mainly pain relief.
Baker also referred to studies linking THC, the active component in cannabis, to potential cognitive impairments. Citing research published in the European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, she noted that THC can adversely affect memory and attention, particularly during acute intoxication.
Despite concerns, studies in the Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research journal suggest that effects may differ depending on factors such as frequency of use and dosage, with some research indicating limited or inconsistent long-term cognitive impacts.
Ethridge reiterated Rootdown’s commitment to addressing these concerns through prioritizing patient care and ethical practices. “To put it lightly, doing things correctly and ethically at Rootdown is more than just business,” he affirmed.
Rootdown’s newest location is situated at 821 N. Lamar Ave. in Oxford.