Patients feel access to long-elusive care is near as applications for medical cannabis open

by

Rhonda Dunaway

• Published on June 3, 2022 • Comments

Angie Calhoun, CEO and founder of The Mississippi Cannabis Patients Alliance and a number of members, board members and advocates for medical marijuana, addresses reporters at the Mississippi State Capitol, in Jackson, to listen to their plea to the Legislature to pass the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act "as is" on the first day of the new legislative session, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.
AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

Wednesday was the first day Mississippians could register for the new medical cannabis program as a patient or a provider. The moment marks an opportunity for some to access care that seemed elusive until now.

Entrepreneurs, physicians, and qualifying patients can now apply for the program through the Mississippi Department of Health. Patient advocates like Angie Calhoun have been pushing for access since Initiative 65 was on the ballot. The Mississippi Cannabis Patients Alliance founder wants people to take a deeper look at the medical value of cannabis.

"It's just so important for people to educate themselves. And if you're not a googler, go to the library," says Calhoun. "There are plenty of books out there that tell you about the medical benefits of medical cannabis and that medical cannabis is real medicine.”

Some prospective patients have used their advocacy to sway local leadership. Greg Turk of Philadelphia spoke with MPB recently – about how medical marijuana eases the symptoms of stage 4 cancer - it eases nausea, pain, and anxiety. His testimony at an April town council meeting helped convince the council to choose the option to participate in the programs.

"People need to speak up for what they think is right. Talk to the county government authorities, or the city, state, federal, whatever they need to do," Turk encourages. "Y'all sit around and complain how you want things to change. Well, if you don't like the way things are, then make a change."

There are pathways for localities that have initially opted out to opt in - either through a vote by local officials or a petition by the local electorate. . Patients in opted-out communities still have rights of use for medical marijuana.