Getting medical cannabis in Mississippi can be complicated. Here’s what you need to know

Accessing medical cannabis isn’t as easy as walking into a store and making a purchase. It can be a time-consuming and complicated process.

Certified medical professionals may recommend trying medical cannabis for a growing number of chronic ailments and conditions. But Mississippi residents need a medical cannabis patient card before they can legally make a purchase at a dispensary.

South Mississippi has rapidly grown into the most competitive medical cannabis market in the state just two years after legalization. It supports an ever-increasing host of patients.

Elizabeth Feder-Hosey, a family attorney-turned cannabis consultant, says the process can be confusing. This is especially true for seniors, she said, who make up the bulk of Mississippi’s medical cannabis program.

“People need help knowing what to do. They get to a dispensary and hear words they’ve never heard before. It’s a lot to learn,” she said.

Last month, she started a business, called Mississippi Microdose , that she said is designed to help residents of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast navigate how to get started and what kind of treatment to seek.

To purchase medical cannabis, you’ll first need a medical cannabis card. That’ll take a few steps first, Feder-Hosey said.

Check if you qualify

See if your medical condition qualifies for treatment as per the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program ’s list.

There’s a lot of conditions listed. Some include PTSD, cancer, Alzhiemer’s, Glaucoma, Hepatitis and Diabetic/Peripheral Neuropathy. You can also qualify by having a disease or condition that’s “chronic terminal or debilitating,” according to MMCP, like chronic pain or seizures.

Feder-Hosey recommends consulting a medical professional if you think you could stand to benefit from medical cannabis but are unsure you qualify.

You’ll need to be at least 18 years old and be able to show proof of your residency in Mississippi. A physician has to be involved for those under age 18.

Schedule an appointment

You’ll need medical records showing you have one of the above conditions. A specialized certified medical practitioner will need to review your condition and recommend medical cannabis as part of your treatment. Bringing lots of medical records makes your case stronger, Feder Hosey said.

She recommends Green Aura Wellness in Biloxi, as an example. Not all medical professionals are willing or able to recommend medical cannabis, she said. Research and find the correct one for the best chance at securing a card.

Online paperwork

Assuming they give you a recommendation, you’ll have to complete some online paperwork. Have your ID ready and make sure your address and other personal details are consistent with one another. Also, there’s an online fee of $25. Usually the certifier charges about $150 for an appointment, Feder-Hosey said.

Feder-Hosey said applications usually don’t take longer than a day. Approval is not guaranteed.

Your digital copy and beyond

Check your email for your digital medical card. With your digital card, dispensaries should be able to help you. Some offer to print and laminate it, she said.

From there, you can also find recommendations on what types of medical cannabis to try. All that’s next is making a selection and purchase.

Be aware that you’ll have to pick out a dispensary for yourself. It’s against the law for medical practitioners to steer you to a dispensary.

Other things to keep in mind

Don’t go over your limit.

Possessing more than 28 “units’‘ of medical cannabis is illegal, punishable by a felony and can result in losing your medical cannabis card and forfeiting all of your medical cannabis

Units are the state’s system of measuring how much cannabis an item possesses. Twenty-eight units totals to being 3.5 grams of cannabis flower or 100 milligrams of gummies.

Remember that it’s illegal to smoke or vape medical cannabis in public or in a vehicle. Operating a vehicle while using medical cannabis is also illegal.

Owning a firearm is completely legal if you have a medical cannabis card.

“If you read the statute , it very clearly says this won’t interfere with you owning a firearm. I mean, we live in Mississippi,” Feder-Hosey said.

She said that’s a common misconception about the program. Lots of potential medical cannabis patients believe they’re waiving their right to own a firearm by holding the card. That’s simply not true

Another misconception is that prospective card holders will be drug tested at some point during the medical cannabis card application. Feder-Hosey said that the state won’t test you. She said especially for those prone to drug abuse, this is good. Using street drugs won’t bar you from obtaining a medical card, if professionals recommend them.

The statutes for medical cannabis do not, however, override employment contracts, so make sure you’re versed in what’s allowed at your workplace.

The law says card holders can’t be penalized in court for having a medical cannabis card in child custody or visitation cases.

There are options for non-residents to obtain temporary medical cannabis cards

Caregivers are people certified by the state to administer and deliver medical cannabis products. This is useful for those who might be low-mobility or confined to a bed but are treated with medical cannabis, Feder-Hosey said. Applicants for caregivers will have to undergo a background check.

“I have seen a great benefit from it,” Feder-Hosey said. “My overall pain is lower. I’m taking less over-the-counter medicine.”