While the medical marijuana business is still in its infancy, two medical marijuana dispensaries are open in northeast Jackson.
“It’s still a new industry,” said Conner Reeves, an attorney with McLaughlin PC who heads the firm’s cannabis practice.
“There’s still room for a lot of growth in the business. The patient population is still getting their I.D. cards.”
Uptown Funk at 1625 County Line Road opened in February, earning the distinction of being the first medical marijuana dispensary to open in Jackson. Banners in front of Kush Vibez at 5440 I-55 North Frontage Road advertise it is open.
Melvin Robinson, executive director of the Mississippi Cannabis Trade Association, expects additional cannabis businesses to make their way to Jackson over the lifespan of the program.
Unlike Ridgeland, Madison, Gluckstadt and Brandon, Jackson did not opt out from allowing medical marijuana businesses.
The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program lists these dispensaries that name Jackson locations: BWD County Line LLC, 1051 E. County Line Road, Suite 1059A; Cannafly Dispensary, 1072 High St.; Dank Box, 5852 Ridgewood Road; Danknolia Cannabis, 3188 W. Northside Drive; Local Remedy, 1667 Lakeland Drive; MIMS Operating, 6315 I-55 North; One Mississippi, 500 E. Woodrow Wilson Drive: OTC, 916 Foley St.; Paradise Vibes, 125 W. Northside Drive; Rootdown 1, 3 Lakeland Circle; Rootdown 4, 4775 Old Canton Road; Rooted in Wellness, 1835 W. Northside Drive; and SRT-MS JAN, 4300 N. State St.
In the city of Jackson, an owner of a cannabis business begins the process by submitting an application for a state license so it can meet the requirements of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act and then when it’s flowing well through that process must go through the city’s site plan review, said Ester Ainsworth, zoning administrator for the city of Jackson.
All medical marijuana businesses must complete site plan review before being issued a building permit and must identify themselves as for medical cannabis in applications such as those for building permits and licensing.
After the permitting process is complete, a business can obtain a privilege license from the city, Ainsworth said.
Ainsworth said the process isn’t easy. “It’s time-consuming and very expensive,” she said.
The city’s zoning ordinance lists these types of medical cannabis businesses and gives these definitions:
- Medical Cannabis Cultivation Facility: A business entity licensed and registered by the Mississippi Department of Health that acquires, grows, cultivates and harvests medical cannabis in an indoor, enclosed, locked and secure area.
- Medical Cannabis Dispensary: An entity licensed and registered with the Mississippi Department of Revenue that acquires, possesses, stores, transfers, sells, supplies or dispenses medical cannabis, equipment used for medical cannabis, or related supplies and educational materials to cardholders.
- Cannabis Disposal Entity: A business licensed and registered by the Mississippi Department of Health that is involved in the commercial disposal or destruction of medical cannabis in an indoor, enclosed, locked and secure area. These entities may also be known as “waste disposal entities.”
- Cannabis Research Facility: A research facility at any university or college in this state or an independent entity licensed and registered by the Mississippi Department of Health pursuant to the MS Medical Cannabis Act that acquires cannabis from cannabis cultivation facilities and cannabis processing facilities in order to research cannabis, develop best practices for specific medical conditions, develop medicines and provide commercial access for medical use.
- Cannabis Testing Facility: An independent entity licensed and registered by the Mississippi Department of Health that analyzes the safety and potency of cannabis.
For zoning purposes, a medical cannabis dispensary falls under the existing listed use of personal and commercial services or retail businesses, depending upon the zone. Medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed in numerous commercial designations.
State law says that no two dispensaries can be located within 1,500 feet of each other, according to state law.
Robinson thinks some Mississippi residents may be surprised by the cannabis industry.
“Right now, there are over 420,000 full-time cannabis jobs in America,” he said.
“It’s not a small industry by any means. It’s a multi-billion-dollar industry. One thing we need in Mississippi is jobs, opportunity. It can be a game changer.”
The Mississippi Cannabis Trade Association focuses on advocacy and education.
“We want to make sure people understand the cannabis industry, quell reefer madness and change the narrative about how we talk about this commodity,” he said. “It’s an alternative form of health care.”
The medical marijuana bill that was signed into law is close to what voters in Mississippi approved with Initiative 65, Reeves said.
“Everyone should be happy with the outcome,” he said. “All of our clients are satisfied.”
