Mississippi Medical Marijuana

Mississippi Medical Marijuana Could Be Available Fall 2021

By /

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Table of contents

Mississippi Medical Marijuana Fall 2021 Update

Mississippi voters recently approved Initiative 65 – a constitutional amendment that legalizes medical marijuana statewide. The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) will oversee the medical marijuana program to establish and manage production, regulation, and licensing structures. Initiative 65 requires that regulations for all aspects of the program, including production and licensing for sale, must be in place by July 1, 2021, and officials will have until August 15 to begin issuing business licenses and medical marijuana patient identification cards. The MSDH is now in the planning stages of the many elements needed to implement a successful medical marijuana program for the state. Keep a close eye on the MSDH website for program details and updates as they become available.

Unlike many other medical marijuana programs, Mississippi will not limit the number of treatment centers (dispensaries) that will be allowed. Local municipalities may enact and enforce zoning ordinances and regulations on medical cannabis businesses. However, these ordinances can be “no more restrictive than those for a licensed retail pharmacy” or for “other comparably sized and staffed lawful commercial or industrial businesses.” With a clear timetable in place and no limit on licensees, Mississippi has poised itself to be one of the country’s most liberal medical marijuana programs.

Currently, the state has not established a licensing system and is not accepting applications at this time. However, it is never too early to begin developing your business plan scouting potential locations, and conducting feasibility studies to ensure long-term success. The cannabis industry moves very fast, and with aggressive deadlines already established, we expect a rapid startup and a highly competitive market. Initiative 65 permits physicians to recommend medical marijuana to patients with the following medical conditions:

· Cancer
· Epilepsy or other seizures
· Parkinson’s disease
· Huntington’s disease
· Muscular dystrophy
· Multiple sclerosis
· Cachexia
· Post-traumatic stress disorder
· Positive status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
· Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
· Chronic or debilitating pain
· Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
· Glaucoma
· Agitation of dementias
· Crohn’s disease
· Ulcerative colitis
· Sickle-cell anemia
· Autism with aggressive or self-injurious behaviors
· Pain refractory to appropriate opioid management
· Spinal cord disease or severe injury
· Intractable nausea
· Severe muscle spasticity

To obtain a medical marijuana identification card, Mississippi residents suffering from one of the approved medical conditions must meet with their physician and get a “physician certification”. This certification will be a form that has been approved by the Department of Health and must be signed and dated by the patient’s physician. This form certifies that the patient suffers from a debilitating medical condition for which medical marijuana may mitigate the symptoms and/or effects. Physician certifications shall remain active for twelve months unless the physician specifies a shorter duration. Physician certifications are only issued after an in-person examination of the patient in Mississippi. Minors who qualify as patients shall only be given a certification if the minor’s parent or guardian is present and provides signed consent. Once the state has approved the patient’s physician certification, they would be allowed to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana from a state-licensed medical marijuana treatment center. If lawsuits do not create any unexpected hurdles, qualifying patients in Mississippi could have safe access to medical marijuana as soon as Fall of 2021.

If you are interested in exploring new cannabis business opportunities in Mississippi, now is the time to start planning! With no license limits in place, being first to market will provide a substantial competitive advantage. Working with local authorities as they develop regulations is imperative. Developing a detailed business plan, financial proforma, and cannabis facility design will help guide your project from conceptual to operational.

Contact us today if you are interested in learning more about obtaining a medical cannabis license under Mississippi’s new Medical Marijuana Program.

Andy is an Operations Advisor at Catalyst BC.

Additional Resources

Consulting Services For Cannabis, Hemp, Psilocybin, and Natural Medicine

Testimonials and Public Relations

Latest Articles

  • A specialized accountant calculating COGS for complex Cannabis 280E Compliance IRS paperwork, utilizing Cannabis Cost Segregation to optimize deductions.
    Cannabis 280E Compliance and COGS Optimization Expert Strategies
    The cannabis industry operates under a unique federal tax burden imposed by Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §280E. While state legalization has flourished, this provision, which denies deductions for ordinary business expenses of trades dealing in controlled substances, remains the single greatest threat to cannabis profitability.
  • An Owner's Rep for Cannabis Dispensary Buildout examines blueprints, ensuring compliance and project accuracy.
    Owner’s Rep for Cannabis Dispensary Buildout: Expert Compliance & Project Management
    Navigating the highly-regulated world of a cannabis dispensary buildout requires specialized expertise beyond standard construction. The complexity of securing a final operating license, controlling costs, and preventing opening delays for a cannabis dispensary hinges on professional guidance. This is why securing an experienced Owner’s Rep for Cannabis Dispensary Buildout is a critical first step.
  • An Owner's Rep for Cannabis Cultivation Facility (wearing a hardhat) reviews blueprints onsite with a construction manager, ensuring adherence to design and compliance standards to mitigate buildout risk.
    The Indispensable Owner’s Rep for Cannabis Cultivation Facility Buildout: Expert Project Management to Prevent Cost Overruns
    In this high-stakes arena, the Owner’s Rep for Cannabis Cultivation Facility buildout is the crucial strategic partner. They are the expert professional who ensures the owner’s vision is translated into a successful, operational, and profitable reality.
  • A smiling female budtender assists customers at a bright counter, demonstrating the success of Cannabis Dispensary Training and the human element of Cannabis Dispensary Compliance.
    Cannabis Dispensary Compliance: Training, Inventory & Profitability
    In today’s regulated cannabis market, cannabis dispensary compliance is not optional—it is the foundation of a sustainable and profitable retail business. Every dispensary, from boutique shops to multi-state operators, must follow strict dispensary regulatory compliance standards, maintain accurate cannabis inventory management systems, and invest in ongoing cannabis dispensary training programs.
  • Cannabis dispensary budtender performing an ID check as part of a Dispensary Secret Shopper compliance audit focused on Age Verification SOP.
    Beyond Compliance: Implementing a Cannabis Dispensary Secret Shopper Program
    As a cannabis retail owner, you operate in a high-stakes environment where federal prohibition meets state-regulated commerce. Your retail floor is not just a sales hub—it’s a constant target for mandatory inspection and the front line for brand differentiation. The most critical tool for navigating this complex reality is the professional, recurring Cannabis Secret Shopper program.
  • Close-up of a hand writing business terms like goals, consulting, professional, knowledge, and success on a chalkboard — representing a Canna Consultant developing a Cannabis Business Strategy focused on Cannabis Licensing and Cannabis Compliance.
    Architects of the Cannabis Industry: What Defines An Expert Canna Consultant?
    An expert Canna Consultant is the strategic architect and operational engineer of a cannabis venture. They are specialized cannabis industry consultants who translate ambiguous legislation into profitable business processes.

Explore Our Articles

cannabis applications Cannabis Bar Cannabis Business Optmization cannabis careers Cannabis Compliance Cannabis Consumption Cannabis Consumption Bar Cannabis Inventory Management Systems Cannabis Investors cannabis jobs Cannabis Legalization cannabis licensing Cannabis Lounge cannabis marketing Cannabis Operational Procedures cannabis outreach Cannabis Regulations Cannabis Security Cannabis Software Cannabis Startup Cannabis Supply Chain Cannabis Technology Colorado controlled environment agriculture Cultivation cultivation facility Dispensary Design facility design Financial Planning HVAC HVACD Iowa Kansas Legal Update Legislation Medical Cannabis Minnesota Natural Medicine Nebraska New York Odor Control Oregon Psilocybin Psychedelics Recreational Cannabis

Scroll to Top