The Mississippi state health officer said Tuesday that he’s concerned about how the Health Department would receive money for its part in licensing and regulating a proposed medical marijuana program.
Dr. Thomas Dobbs said some regulatory programs, such as restaurant inspections, are funded by specific fees, but “there’s no mechanism for funding” for the Health Department in a medical marijuana bill that House and Senate leaders are promoting. Dobbs said relying on legislative budget writers to set aside money for medical marijuana regulation could result in cuts to other public health services if cash is tight.