Slates Veazey Quoted in Mississippi Today on Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act

Bradley partner Slates Veazey was quoted in Mississippi Today on the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act. Gov. Tate Reeves signed the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act into law in February 2022. Now, some local businesspeople hoping to get a foothold in the industry are being blocked by their elected officials.

Four city boards in Brandon, Ridgeland, Gluckstadt and Pass Christian have already voted to sit out of the state’s medical marijuana program and at least a few others from Winona to Sumrall are likely to take up their own opt-out vote ahead of the state’s May deadline. Patients in opt-out cities can still possess medical cannabis, but the municipalities won’t allow dispensaries or cultivators to open businesses within their limits – at least for now.

“This was expected,” said Veazey. “It’s something businesses and the industry have been watching closely. More cities are likely to do the same.”

Veazey explained that past May businesses will still be up against zoning laws even in cities that haven’t opted out. The new program, for example, only allows grow operations to open in areas zoned for agricultural or industrial use. While counties may rezone areas to accommodate for the new businesses, some counties could also take the opposite approach.

“Some of the folks who have been planning this for awhile have had informal conversations with local officials to get some assurances,” said Veazey. “Already, there are only so many pieces of property [where] these businesses can be located.”

The complete article, "As Mississippi cities opt out of medical marijuana, business hopefuls shut out," was published by Mississippi Today on March 17, 2022.