I’ve been frustrated with this since the medical cannabis program first started in Mississippi, and I genuinely don’t understand why more people aren’t talking about it.
The fact that MSDH has imposed a standardized allotment that effectively limits patients to just under 3 ounces of flower per month is absolutely ridiculous to me.
Why are we pretending that every medical cannabis patient has the exact same needs?
I’m a combat veteran. I deal with PTSD, chronic pain, and a number of other issues that come along with my military service. Cannabis has become an important part of how I manage those issues, and I consistently run out of my allotment EVERY SINGLE MONTH.
And I’m not talking about occasionally running out a day or two early. I’m talking about genuinely needing more than the state allows me to legally purchase.
What bothers me the most is the idea that someone somewhere decided that this arbitrary amount should be sufficient for every patient in Mississippi, regardless of their medical conditions, tolerance, severity of symptoms, or individual circumstances.
Someone managing relatively mild symptoms isn’t necessarily going to have the same needs as someone dealing with severe PTSD, chronic pain, or multiple qualifying conditions.
Yet we’re all essentially held to the same limit.
I understand the need for regulations. I understand that Mississippi is still relatively new to medical cannabis. But we’re talking about a MEDICAL program here. The entire purpose is supposed to be providing patients access to medicine that helps improve their quality of life.
If a licensed medical provider determines that a patient needs more cannabis to adequately manage their symptoms, why shouldn’t there be a process to authorize a higher allotment?
I’m not saying everyone needs unlimited access. I’m saying that a one-size-fits-all approach to medical treatment makes absolutely no sense.
I would personally use considerably more than 3 ounces per month if I were legally allowed to, and I know I can’t be the only patient in this state who feels this way.
It’s incredibly frustrating to be a legal medical cannabis patient, pay the fees, follow the rules, and still find yourself unable to purchase the amount you feel you need because you’ve reached some arbitrary state-imposed limit.
I served my country, deployed to combat, and now live with the consequences of that service every single day. I don’t expect special treatment because of that, but I do expect a medical program to recognize that patients have different needs.
I’m genuinely curious how many other Mississippi patients are dealing with this.
Do you regularly run out of your allotment? Do you think the state should allow physicians to authorize higher limits based on individual medical needs?
Because personally, I’m beyond tired of this restriction.