Are you interested in starting a medical cannabis dispensary in Mississippi? You’ll need to apply for a dispensary license first. Here is a breakdown of the Mississippi dispensary license application process and a step-by-step guide on how to win a marijuana dispensary license.
However, if you’d prefer to speak with one of our Mississippi dispensary license experts on the phone, click the button below to schedule a free consultation today.
Marijuana Dispensary License in Mississippi
Step 1 – Read the Laws and Regulations
To begin, you should read the laws and regulations that govern the medical marijuana market in Mississippi. This includes:
You should focus on the regulations concerning Mississippi’s medical cannabis dispensary licenses. It will give you a better idea of what a dispensary license in Mississippi allows you to do. Also, you’ll have a better understanding of the application process.
Similarly, I recommend that you regularly visit the website of the following governing bodies for updates:
You’ll find useful information and resources on these governing agencies’ websites.
The next step is to determine if you’re eligible to apply for a Mississippi dispensary license.
Step 2 – Determine if you’re eligible for a dispensary license in Mississippi
While reading the laws and regulations, you’ll come across the eligibility requirements for a Mississippi dispensary license. In short, you cannot apply for a dispensary license if any of your owners or officers:
- is under the age of 21;
- has had a marijuana license revoked in the past;
- has been convicted of a disqualifying felony offense;
- owes delinquent taxes; or
- is a member or a spouse of a member of the Mississippi Senate or House of Representatives.
If your team does not fall under any of these buckets, then you are eligible to apply.
I’d like to emphasize that applicants do not have to be Mississippi residents to obtain a dispensary license.
We understand how frustrating it can be to read and try to understand several hundred pages of legal language. One misstep could be detrimental to your entire Mississippi dispensary application. That is why the next step is to bring in the professionals.
Step 3 – Engage a Dispensary Consultant in Mississippi
Applying for a dispensary license in Mississippi is a costly and competitive process. Make your life easier by working with our dispensary consultants in Mississippi to increase your chances of winning a marijuana dispensary license.
We’ll manage your dispensary application from start to finish, including all of the technical writing and coaching you each step of the way.
We’ve helped win cannabis licenses across the globe, including 27 US States and 6 countries. We also have one of the highest success rates in the industry (90.12%).
Reach out today to learn how we can help you win a license and open a dispensary in Mississippi.
Step 4 – Form a business entity
Your next step is to form a business entity that you will use to apply for a dispensary license in Mississippi. We most commonly find dispensary applicants forming limited liability companies (LLCs) or corporations (c-corp or s-corp).
Step 5 – Develop a dispensary business plan
Now is the time to build your business plan for a marijuana dispensary in Mississippi. You can use your business plan to raise capital, recruit a team, build awareness, and gain local support.
Also, your dispensary business plan will allow you to understand the market, expected costs, and the return on investment for investors. As an added benefit, you can use portions of your business plan in your application for a Mississippi dispensary license.
Don’t have time to write a dispensary business plan? No problem. Reach out today to learn about Quantum 9’s business planning and investor services.
Step 6 – Raise Capital
The costs of starting a dispensary in Mississippi are significant. You’ll incur costs during your pursuit of the license from things such as:
- real estate,
- schematic designs,
- attorneys,
- marketing,
- consultants,
- travel,
- and more.
Once licensed, you’ll face construction and start-up costs that can reach millions of dollars.
However, with a solid dispensary business plan in hand, and a strong team of Mississippi cannabis consultants on your side, raising capital is much easier. Pitch your dispensary business plan to investors with us by your side to help investors feel more comfortable investing in your Mississippi dispensary business.
Step 7 – Choose a location
At this stage, it’s a good idea to secure a location for your cannabis dispensary in Mississippi. Choose a location that is zoned correctly, meets all of the city ordinances, and does not violate any of the distance requirements outlined in the laws.
For your convenience, I added a map below that shows Mississippi cities and counties that are allowing dispensaries to locate within their boundaries.
Since you’re applying for a Mississippi dispensary license and there is a chance you may not win, we suggest entering into a contingent option to buy or lease the property. The contingency is based on winning the license.
For the dispensary license application in Mississippi, you must submit:
- Map or sketch of the premises;
- Floor plan;
- Construction Plans; and
- more.
We work with some of the best architects and engineers in the industry. Use our network to design a first-class dispensary in Mississippi.
Once you’ve identified a location for your Mississippi dispensary, the next step is to build local support.
Step 8 – Build local support
If you can show support from your city government and local organizations on your dispensary application, then you’ll have a higher chance of winning a license.
It takes time to build a relationship with your community. Therefore, it’s best you begin as soon as possible.
In the end, your municipality will choose who can or cannot locate within its borders. Get on their good side so that they choose you.
Step 9 – Write your dispensary license application
Now it’s time to sit down and write your Mississippi dispensary license application. As part of the Mississippi dispensary application, you must write an operating and a security plan.
Your operating and security plan for your Mississippi marijuana dispensary application must demonstrate your compliance with:
- Security;
- Employee qualifications, including background checks, and training;
- Record-keeping systems;
- Hours of operation;
- Preventing non-cardholders under the age of 21 from entering the licensed premises; and
- Preventing non-cardholders from obtaining or attempting to obtain any items sold by the dispensary.
Have you applied for a dispensary license before? The application may require hundreds or thousands of pages of technical writing.
Mississippi will score your application on your ability to demonstrate technical expertise and compliance with the law. The highest scoring applications will win a dispensary license.
Work with our Mississippi dispensary license consultants to receive a high score on your application. We’ll manage your dispensary license application from start to finish.
Step 10 – Submit dispensary application and pay fees
Finally, once you have your Mississippi dispensary application completed, you can submit it to the State. To submit, you must pay a non-refundable application fee of $15,000.
Conclusions on Dispensary Licenses in Mississippi
Applying for a Mississippi cannabis dispensary license is a complex, time-consuming, and competitive process. Not to mention, you risk $15,000 just for trying. Why not allow our dispensary license consultants to assist with your application? Allow us to take on the heavy lifting and make winning a Mississippi dispensary license a breeze.
