Following the recent passage of Initiative 65, a medical marijuana program set to be implemented in Mississippi, the state’s attorney general and the Department of Health are warning you to be on the lookout for scams.
In the month since election day, when the initiative passed with nearly 58% of the vote, Attorney General Lynn Fitch explained that her office has received questions regarding ads claiming to offer “pre-registration for medical marijuana cards in Mississippi.” Currently, there is no such thing.
“As Mississippi’s chief legal officer, I will not allow companies to engage in fraudulent and deceptive business practices in our State,” Fitch said. “My office will remain watchful and continue to work closely with the Mississippi Department of Health to protect the health and safety of Mississippi consumers. We urge you to be wary of any promises to jump you to the head of the line for access to medical marijuana in Mississippi. It is too early for any company to guarantee those promises will be kept.”
According to a news release, some companies have begun promoting to Mississippians pre-registration and telemedicine consultations for medical marijuana cards, but the MSDH, which will oversee the program, has has not issued any regulations pursuant to Initiative 65, nor has it licensed any providers at this time.
“The Mississippi State Department of Health is in the initial stages of researching, developing and producing the essential elements needed to implement a successful medical marijuana program,” State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said. “Any information regarding medical marijuana will be posted on a specified website page. The regulations are due this summer. It is premature for any company or entity to post information offering medical marijuana. Do not be vulnerable to these scams. The Mississippi State Department of Health is your accurate source for information regarding this matter.”
The program is scheduled to launch in August 2021.
To report suspected scams or fraudulent activity, contact the Mississippi Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-800-281-4418 or emailing consumer@ago.ms.gov.
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