By Conner Reeves of McLaughlin PC
FREE COMPLIANCE WEBINAR!
Gain insight into Mississippi cannabis laws and regulations and opportunities in the cannabis industry in an interactive webinar with attorney Conner Reeves and Oaksterdam University, the nation’s oldest and most respected cannabis training institute. Use THIS LINK to register for this free webinar on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 12:00 pm!
Mississippi’s medical cannabis industry is blooming, offering incredible opportunities for licensed companies to serve patients and contribute to a growing market. However, with great opportunity comes great responsibility—staying compliant with state regulations is critical to avoiding costly fines and protecting your business.
Our experience is that the overwhelming majority of licensees are trying to follow the law and regulations. Very few are looking for ways to operate outside the bounds of the law, though every industry has bad apples. Over the past year, we have responded to a number of corrective action requests and citations received by our clients. Quite a few have been based on an agency’s erroneous interpretation of their own regulations or have been aggressive accusations for minor non-compliance matters. If you fall into this category, what can you do?
Whether you’re growing, processing, or selling medical cannabis, navigating the regulatory landscape can feel like tending a delicate plant: it takes care, attention, and know-how to flourish. To help you thrive, we’ve compiled the Top 10 Things to Do and Not Do to stay on the right side of Mississippi’s medical cannabis laws. Follow these tips to keep your business blooming and avoid the thorns of regulatory fines!
1. DO: Maintain Detailed and Accurate Records
Why it matters: Mississippi’s Department of Health and Department of Revenue require meticulous record-keeping to track everything from seed-to-sale to financial transactions. Accurate records demonstrate transparency and compliance.
What to do: You must use METRC in Mississippi, the state-approved seed-to-sale tracking system, to log every stage of cannabis cultivation, processing, and sales even if you use a third-party Point-of-Sale software also.
Keep detailed financial records, all transaction records, employment records, theft and loss records, and any pesticides/chemical application records for a minimum of five (5) years. Regularly audit your records to catch and correct errors before they become issues.
Real world example: One of our clients received a corrective action notice and a fine for “backdating” harvests and not updating METRC in real time when a harvest occurred. The licensee was given the opportunity to correct this error by providing an updated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) showing how they would input correct dates in real time and provide proof of giving their staff additional education on this procedure.
2. DON’T: Ignore Employee Training Requirements
Why it matters: Untrained staff can lead to unintentional violations, like improper handling of cannabis products or failure to verify patient cards. Mississippi regulations mandate proper training for all employees.
What not to do: Don’t assume employees “know enough” without formal training. Don’t skip regular refreshers on compliance protocols, especially as regulations evolve.
What to do instead: Develop a comprehensive training program covering state laws, product safety, and patient interactions. Document all training sessions to prove compliance during inspections.
Real world example: One of our clients received a corrective action notice after a site visit that showed licensee staff not having their credentials physically worn by the employee while working at the licensed establishment. The owner of the company was given a citation for this error and given an opportunity to correct it by providing additional staff training on the importance of having their work permit on a lanyard while the employees were on site.