Medical cannabis could be at dispensaries by January, MSDH says

Medical cannabis could be at dispensaries by January, MSDH says

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Medical cannabis could be at dispensaries by January, MSDH says

Mississippi's medical marijuana program has ramped up substantially in the past few months, with growers starting to harvest the first plants that patients can legally consume.

During a news briefing Thursday, the Mississippi State Department of Health said provisional licenses have been issued to 138 dispensaries, eight processors, three disposal entities, four transportation entities and 47 cultivators. In addition, 117 practitioners have been approved to issue prescriptions and 406 patients have been approved for the program. MSDH has issued work permits to 491 people, meaning they are able to work in the industry.

One of the approved cultivators is Southern Sky Brands, which has a $40 million marijuana growing facility in Canton, just off the interstate.

"We have four grow rooms," Southern Sky Brands CEO Steve Merritt said. "We're looking at our first crop being around 60 pounds. Eventually, we will be doing quadruple that."

Merritt recently gave 16 WAPT News an exclusive tour of the Southern Sky Brands facility in Canton. But, before the news crew was allowed to enter one of the company's four grow rooms, they had to suit up in special clothing that included a hairnet, gloves and disposable shoe covers. Merritt said the precautions protect the plants from outside contamination.

"We gown up to make sure we don't bring pesticides (and) make sure we don't bring other pests or mold, mildew — things of that sort that can attack the plants," Merritt said. "You don't want to smoke marijuana or use marijuana that's got mold in it."

According to Merritt, the plants have been growing for the past six weeks under special conditions. Twelve hours under the lights, 12 hours in the dark and a lot more TLC — including portable fans blowing around the clock to keep the plants moving and breathing. Plus, they pipe in classical music, which Merritt admits may or may not be beneficial.

"There's a theory that music, actually plants can actually move and respond to music," Merritt said. "We believe that. I don't know if that's true or not, but we do."

Melvin Robinson, with the Mississippi Cannabis Trade Association, said there are dozens cultivators like Southern Sky Brands across the state, along with additional micro-cultivators.

"Right now, our cannabis industry is steadily growing," Robinson said. "Micro-cultivators are a little bit smaller than cultivators, but we still love them all the same. Right now, you have different companies pulling down harvest. That means they've already grown some of that product."

Tap here to see who's eligible for a medical marijuana prescription.

Merritt said Southern Sky Brands has already started harvesting the first plants.

"We then have to dry and then we have to process it and cure it, then we will turn it into actual medicine," Merritt said.

But before that happens, the cannabis has to be shipped off to a state-approved laboratory where it will be tested before it hits the market. Those with a prescription could be able to purchase the first products at dispensaries by late this year, or early next year, according to Kris Jones, director of the state's medical cannabis program.

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