Medical marijuana is officially coming to the Magnolia State. However, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) does not have a determined date on when cannabis will be available to patients.
On Monday, the MSDH held a press briefing to give updates on the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program with the application process recently opening for those planning to work with, certify, or use medical cannabis.
Although the process is in its infancy, the director of the Office of Health Protection, Jim Craig, says that the end of the calendar year is the current goal for medical marijuana to be available in Mississippi. Further, through an extensive regulatory process, the MSDH is dedicated to ensuring that Mississippians will be receiving safe cannabis. Since no product has been grown, tested, or approved in state-regulated labs, a delay in medical marijuana becoming available is inevitable.
“I know everyone would love for it to be up in running,” Craig said. “It looks like it will be the end of the year that we see products.”
As of now, 1,800 people have registered online to apply for a license. Approximately, 85% of the applicants are patients seeking medical marijuana treatment. In addition, nine practitioners and 12 businesses have registered. 15 work permits have also been submitted for review.
What to know about getting a medical marijuana card in Mississippi
