JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) — On Sunday afternoon, local medical cannabis dispensary owners and cultivators gathered to network and exchange cultivation techniques, with a focus on enhancing the state’s medical cannabis program.
For the first time, dispensary owners had the opportunity to see and smell the medical cannabis products they might purchase—a rarity due to state regulations. Under current law, all medical cannabis sold in Mississippi must be packaged in opaque, light-resistant containers, which means dispensaries often buy products without inspecting them directly. Instead, they rely on THC percentages alone.
Joel Case, from the cultivation company Suite 1620, emphasized the need to move beyond these numerical labels. “We need to educate more,” he said. “There are many cannabis strains with medicinal benefits that may not have the high THC percentages, but can still be effective for patients. People are missing out by focusing only on numbers.”
The event also addressed broader concerns surrounding the use of cannabis as a safer alternative to dangerous street drugs. Michael Watson, of Fire Craft Cooperative, pointed to the rising number of fentanyl overdose deaths, noting that many people unknowingly take lethal substances sold as other drugs. “We’re seeing people die almost every day from fentanyl or counterfeit pills,” he said. “Cannabis provides a safer alternative.”
Yasmin Hayes, part owner of Borneo Bud and host of the event, reinforced the idea that medical cannabis is a legitimate and regulated treatment option. “There’s a stigma around cannabis that isn’t true,” she explained. “It’s prescribed by doctors, and patients need a card to buy it. There’s a structured program, and it offers alternative, holistic medicine.”
In contrast to Mississippi, Hayes noted that other states, such as Colorado, have a more open culture surrounding medical cannabis. Duran Jackson, who began his cannabis career in Colorado, shared his experience: “It’s everywhere in Colorado, and people are open about it. When I came back to Mississippi, I was surprised by how private people still are about it.”
Despite these challenges, those in the industry are optimistic about the future of medical cannabis in Mississippi. While Sunday’s event was strictly for viewing purposes, organizers are hopeful that such gatherings will pave the way for future patient involvement.
“We’re making progress, and we’re excited to see the industry grow in a positive direction,” said Hayes. Organizers plan to host similar events in the future, with the goal of eventually allowing patients to attend and experience the products firsthand.
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