The cannabis industry is in full swing across South Mississippi as numerous medical marijuana dispensaries are now open and operating throughout the region.
     Following state legislation of medical cannabis in 2022, a network of medical marijuana businesses, entrepreneurs and industry leaders continues to grow.
     This year, Harrison and Hancock counties are leading the way on the Mississippi Gulf Coast as medical cannabis providers keep planting to service local communities. On February 10, 2023, Hancock County welcomed its first-ever licensed medical marijuana dispensary with a grand opening for Coast Cannabis Medical Dispensary located along U.S. 90 in Bay St. Louis, Miss.
     “…We have another one in Waveland opening,” said Anne Pitre, marketing and communications manager of the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce. “I anticipate there will probably end up being more as time goes on and more people get access to this prescription.”
     In January, the City of Biloxi welcomed its first medical marijuana dispensary followed by another that opened in St. Martin. More dispensaries have opened in surrounding areas since, along with at least five more expected to open in Gulfport starting in May as municipalities and counties continue to issue business permits.

     Coast Cannabis owners, Gina Pepé of Pass Christian, Miss., and John Arnold of Slidell, La., were ecstatic as they participated in the official ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration for their new storefront.  
     “Bay St. Louis made it so easy for us to get our license,” said Arnold. “I am very excited about our business opening, and I think this will bring a lot of possibilities for people who don’t know the alternatives to chemical drugs.
     “It’s sad that there are people dying from cancer and all these medications that are pushed everywhere. The scientists of today, in just the last 10 years, have found out so many things that this can do. Marijuana, being natural, stays in your body for 30 days and there is a reason for it; to not fight it out.”
     Pepé added, “We love Bay St. Louis and are excited to be here. There are a lot of retired people here in this community, and this is going to help so many people.”
     The Mississippi Medicinal Cannabis Act (SB 2095) was approved by the Mississippi Legislature on January 26, 2022, which established a medical cannabis program. Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed the measure into law.

     According to news reports, as of January 31, 2023, the Mississippi Department of Revenue has issued over 30 business licenses locally for the sale of medical marijuana. All businesses must adhere to rules and regulations that are tracked by a division of the state Department of Revenue to ensure compliance.
     Additionally, reports say, while there is no cap on the number of licenses issued, governing authorities have been given the opportunity to “opt out of one or more of the following: the cultivation, processing, sale or distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis products,” according to the act. Most of those who opted out chose to opt out of all four (cultivation, processing, sale and distribution). Boards of Supervisors could opt out for unincorporated areas of the county.
     In South Mississippi, at least eight dispensaries are operating in Hancock County, along with a whopping 17 in Harrison County, and six others in Jackson County. The cities of Pass Christian and D’Iberville have joined George and Pearl River counties in opting out of dispensaries. And Stone County has not issued any licenses, however, businesses like Coast Cannabis have more than made up for the deficit in neighboring cities.
     “This is way more than expected for our grand opening” said Pepé, co-owner of Coast Cannabis located at 835 US-90, Suite 6, Bay St. Louis. “We want people to feel safe and welcome when they come in, and this is a perfect spot for our location.”

     Among the excitement at the grand opening event was a friendly green Mardi Gras dragon costume waving and greeting ceremony guests as they arrived to enjoy good music, free food, and generous giveaways. The biggest prize was a new bicycle that had guests who entered the raffle waiting on edge to have the winning ticket revealed.
     Regan Kane of Bay St. Louis, president of the Hancock County Chamber, said, “It’s exciting to have a new business, especially selling new, innovative products to the area. It is well received in the local community through the support of numbers, potential tax revenue, and is a help to assist people medically and legally which is a win for everybody.”
     Margaret Murdock, Bay St. Louis, was one of the grand opening guests for Coast Cannabis.
     “I am happy it’s opening and convenient for people who need it. I am excited that our state is moving up, especially in our small town of Bay St. Louis.”
     Pepé agrees people who would normally travel out of state, making trips back in forth, to be able to access medical marijuana now have easier access in Mississippi.
     “It’s a great benefit to the people looking to use an alternative for relief from pain and many other illnesses,” said Pepé.
     Event guest Page Harder Forest, Bay St. Louis, with New York Life Insurance Company, said, “My Uncle died of cancer, and he was in great pain when it wasn’t available yet. Hopefully, no one else must go through that.”

     Mississippi is now 37th in the U.S. to make marijuana legalized for medical patients who meet 22 debilitating medical conditions. 
     Before visiting a medical marijuana dispensary in Mississippi, you must meet all of the qualifications including having a current diagnosis of a qualifying condition from a physician or practitioner, being a Mississippi resident with proof of residency such as a valid state driver’s license or state issued identification card, and having a Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Patient Card that is issued through the MSDH portal.
     Anyone entering a dispensary in Mississippi must be at least 21 years of age or older. And with their MSDH Patient Card, they are only permitted to use a certain amount of medical marijuana within 30 days because of the cap on it. To date, MSDH has approved the issuance of more than 1,700 patient cards.
     Those who want to shop at the new Coast Cannabis in Bay St. Louis must bring their identification and their MSDH Patient Card and then are supplied with menus to choose their items. Coast Cannabis has 14 different strains of marijuana flower. If it’s a customer’s first time, they can read on the menu what each different strain does for you. Edibles and the vapes are also coming available as well as everything else the state is currently testing. Other products that will be available at Coast Cannabis in the future are Cannabis soaps, creams, and even bath bombs. 
     “I have seen so many sad circumstances with people coming in with their ailments and saying this is the only way that they can get some sleep and the only thing that helps.” Pepé said. “If people only knew that they don’t have to take medication. For example, my mother has cancer and refuses to take all the medicines in fear of being hooked but instead uses medical marijuana gummies which are available here.”

     Coast Cannabis will offer a private consultation room where a doctor is available once a month for people interested in learning more about medical marijuana and what the dispensary has to offer.
     “People are thinking about it but are scared to take that first step,” Pepé said. “But we have been getting a great response. We are really fixing things up and are very professional. We are a very clean facility and are excited to welcome customers.”
     Pepé added that Coast Cannabis Medical Dispensary takes pride in offering high-quality, cannabis-derived products. They believe their products will quickly become a part of an everyday routine. Their dedicated team truly believes in the power of nature to instill harmony and balance in others’ lives, and they believe this shines through every product they offer. 
     “We are going to try to carry just the top-line best products, and everything is packaged pretty good,” Pepé said. “We are proud to be business owners here in Bay St. Louis, and our goal is to help people.”
     Coast Cannabis is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. Coast Cannabis can be reached by phone at (228) 231-2221 or (985) 718-6907, or by email at support@coastcannabisms.com. Check out their Web site at www.coastcannabisms.com. 

On the cover: John Arnold, Slidell, La., and Gina Pepé, Pass Christian, Miss., celebrate the grand opening of their new business, Coast Cannabis Medical Dispensary, in Bay St. Louis, Miss. The duo proudly display a piece of cake bearing the numbers 420, which is particularly significant in marijuana culture.

Ashley Prima

Author, Public Speaker, Multimedia Journalist, Publisher, Writing Consultant, Blogger, and Podcast Host.