Medical cannabis sales officially launched in Mississippi on Wednesday nearly a year after Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed the bill enacting the reforms. Voters had approved medical cannabis legalization during the 2020 election but the measure was ultimately struck down by the state Supreme Court which said the state’s ballot initiative process was outdated.
The state’s first sale occurred at The Cannabis Company in Brookhaven but did not occur without a hitch as there was a brief problem with seed-to-sale system METRC, according to a WAPT report.
In order to qualify for the state medical cannabis program, patients must get certified by a participating physician, nurse practitioner, or optometrist and register with the state. Within 60 days of certification, patients must apply to the program using an online form. They will then receive an electronic identification card that can be used at dispensaries. Mississippi’s rules allow patients to purchase 3.5 grams per day, six days a week, or about 3 ounces per month.
There are 25 qualifying conditions included on the state’s medical cannabis list.
Currently, there are about 1,700 patients registered as medical cannabis patients in the state, according to Department of Health data outlined by WLOX.
According to health department data, there have been more than 160 cannabis dispensary licenses issued so far.
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