Cannabis In The Deep South: This Mississippi Company Delivers More Bud For The Buck To Medical Marijuana Patients
Mississippi’s medical cannabis market is one of the newest in the U.S.
presenting unique challenges and opportunities. Alec Pagliaro, chief revenue officer of Southern Crops, provides insight into the dynamics of this emerging market including types of consumers, setting up operations, product offerings and branding strategies.
The privately-owned Southern Crops aims to offer a unique and engaging retail experience. “We operate six dispensaries and supply over 100 across the state,” Pagliaro said. The company’s mission is to provide pharmaceutical-grade products and exceptional customer service, reflecting the values Pagliaro honed in his previous roles.
Setting Up Operations In A New Market
Setting up operations in Mississippi involved extensive community engagement and strategic planning. The use of tissue cultures, instead of mother plants, ensures consistent quality and quicker turnaround times, said Pagliaro. “We can harvest every six weeks, which allows us to meet market demand efficiently.”
Their facility spans 200,000 square feet and includes four flower rooms, each capable of holding up to 3,456 plants. “Each harvest can produce approximately 600 pounds of biomass per room, resulting in a potential output of 2,400 pounds per month,” he noted. This level of production is strategically managed to align with the state’s demand, which is roughly around 2,000 to 2,500 pounds of biomass monthly.
Southern Crops operates with a reduced number of rooms to match market demand but is prepared to scale up quickly if needed. “We have indicators to increase production from two rooms to three or four rooms based on sales trends,” Pagliaro said. The facility includes a full processing area with capabilities to process distillate, biomass into oil, and produce gel capsules and blister packs.
Their processing capabilities allow for a diverse product range, including premium vapes and edibles. The facility is equipped with a full kitchen setup, a gel capsule machine, a blister pack machine, and advanced equipment to process cannabis-derived terpenes in-house. “Our setup …