3MA Candidate Questionnaire – Johnny Baucom (U.S. House District 1)
The Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association (3MA) has invited candidates for state office to answer questions about the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program and related policy issues. Responses are being published so patients, licensed operators, healthcare professionals, industry stakeholders, and voters can hear directly from candidates.
Johnny Baucom for Mississippi House District 1 submitted the following responses to 3MA’s 2027 Candidate Questionnaire.
1. Do you support the continued operation of Mississippi’s Medical Cannabis Program and the ability of qualified Mississippi patients to legally access medical cannabis through the state-regulated system?
Johnny Baucom:
Yes. I would like to go as far as completely decriminalizing it, having old cases be overturned, and having it unscheduled, with the same limitations as buying cigarettes: you must be 21 years of age to legally purchase it. Home grow should be completely legal, as marijuana is a medicinal herb.
2. As Mississippi’s medical cannabis program continues to mature, what do you believe the state’s primary goals should be in regulating the program? For example, patient access, public safety, regulatory compliance, industry stability, or other priorities?
Johnny Baucom:
The problem with regulatory compliance is that it leads to unhealthy pesticides and practices that will interfere with the scientific growth and study of the plant. I’d like to see the medical program thrive under full recreational legalization as actual studied medicines that can be prescribed instead of pain killers, seizure medicine, inflammation, and mental illness.
3. The federal government’s treatment of marijuana has changed significantly since Mississippi enacted its medical cannabis law, including the move toward Schedule III regulation. Do you believe Mississippi should review and update its medical cannabis laws and regulations to ensure they appropriately align with the evolving federal framework?
Johnny Baucom:
I believe it shouldn’t be completely unscheduled, and open the flood gates on the market and research of marijuana as a much healthier alternative to other medicines.
4. Where federal and state requirements differ or create uncertainty for Mississippi medical cannabis licensees, do you support greater coordination and information-sharing between Mississippi regulatory agencies and federal agencies such as the DEA and FDA, provided appropriate protections remain in place for patients and lawful businesses?
Johnny Baucom:
It should be an aligned effort for full decriminalization, and overturning of old possession-only charges. The DEA should have no business in the program anymore, and the FDA should stay away from regulating unrestrained before the industry has had a chance to blossom into what it can be. I would prefer no regulation besides an age limit unless specific circumstances of critical illness, in which they’d have access to fully tested and specially grown strains for their condition.
5. If elected, would you be open to considering reasonable policy, legislative, or regulatory changes that could support and improve Mississippi’s medical cannabis program when those changes are supported by evidence and developed in consultation with patients, regulators, healthcare professionals, and licensed operators?
Johnny Baucom:
In every bill brought forth about it, I will be looking strictly at regulatory standards being loosened to begin moving toward my ideal policies and changes surrounding it as stated earlier.
6. What role do you believe the office you seek should play in ensuring reasonable patient access to state-regulated medical cannabis while maintaining appropriate safeguards against diversion, misuse, or the development of an unregulated recreational market?
Johnny Baucom:
Full recreational legalization, no holds barred except an age limit to buy or grow. Let me make that clear. My office would support federal legalization, and rescheduling, as well as supporting its use in medical as a natural substitute to critical or mental illness.
7. How do you believe Mississippi should approach the regulation of intoxicating hemp and cannabinoid products sold outside the medical cannabis program to ensure public safety and a consistent regulatory framework?
Johnny Baucom:
To take care of the problem as it is, create ad campaigns focused at young adults informing them that they shouldn’t ruin or risk their life over something that they can legally acquire. Get your card, and know what you’re using. You never know when what is on the street will take you off of it.
8. If elected, would you be willing to maintain an open dialogue with Mississippi medical cannabis patients, licensed operators, healthcare professionals, and organizations such as 3MA as policy, regulatory, and implementation issues affecting the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program arise?*
Johnny Baucom:
I will always have an open line.
9. Do you view medical cannabis policy as fundamentally distinct from recreational or adult-use marijuana policy, and what is your position on recreational legalization in Mississippi?
Johnny Baucom:
I think I’ve made that abundantly clear: I believe that both markets can prosper in parallel, but be used to solve different problems. There will be a tier system in practice; home grow won’t be as tested, and the final product won’t be as understood or as good as the storefront recreational market. Medical will be pinpointed and prescribed and will vary in potency and effect based on the needs of a patient.
10. Mississippi’s medical cannabis program has now been operational for several years. How do you assess Mississippi’s decision to establish the program, and are there areas where you believe it has succeeded or could be improved through appropriate state or federal action?
Johnny Baucom:
Mississippi was incredibly smart about ensuring there couldn’t be a monopoly or duopoly in the growing market like other states. It is also accessible for many vendors to come into the market, and if advertised more effectively, it could really be a huge monetary generator for the state.
Non-endorsement disclaimer: 3MA does not endorse candidates through its candidate questionnaire program. Responses are published for informational purposes and represent the views of the candidate. Candidates for applicable state offices are offered an opportunity to participate.