3MA Candidate Questionnaire – Michael Chiaradio (U.S. House District 3)
The Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association (3MA) has invited candidates for federal 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.
Michael A. Chiaradio, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District, 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?
Michael Chiaradio:
Yes.
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?
Michael Chiaradio:
The primary goal should be ensuring that responsible licensed businesses can operate under clear and predictable rules. I also believe that rigorous product standards and access for legitimate patients is important, but having high quality companies operating in an environment where they can succeed is the main catalyst for virtually any other priority.
3. Do you believe Mississippi should review and update its medical cannabis laws and regulations to ensure they appropriately align with the evolving federal framework?
Michael Chiaradio:
Yes.
4. Where federal and state requirements differ or create uncertainty, do you support greater coordination and information-sharing between Mississippi regulatory agencies and federal agencies such as the DEA and FDA?
Michael Chiaradio:
Yes.
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?
Michael Chiaradio:
Yes, I would like to see the state be accommodative to the industry.
6. What role should the office you seek play in ensuring reasonable patient access while maintaining appropriate safeguards against diversion, misuse, or the development of an unregulated recreational market?
Michael Chiaradio:
Legislatively, there are limits to what I can directly impact but I would work to reduce unnecessary conflicts between federal law and state medical cannabis programs. However, politically, I hope to be a coalition-building advocate. If elected in 2026 (and probably even if not), many state and local representatives will seek my support in their 2027 campaigns.
7. How should Mississippi approach the regulation of intoxicating hemp and cannabinoid products sold outside the medical cannabis program?
Michael Chiaradio:
I would support federal policy to protect consumers and ensure that businesses operating within the regulated system are not placed at a disadvantage. Intoxicating products should not circumvent appropriate regulatory standards under any circumstances and I’d hope Mississippi adopts the same stance.
8. If elected, would you maintain an open dialogue with Mississippi medical cannabis patients, licensed operators, healthcare professionals, and organizations such as 3MA?
Michael Chiaradio:
Yes.
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?
Michael Chiaradio:
Yes, medical and recreational cannabis are distinct. I support Mississippi’s medical cannabis program but I also believe adults should generally have the freedom to make their own choices without unnecessary criminal penalties. I would be open to regulated adult use with strong safeguards for impaired driving and public consumption.
10. How do you assess Mississippi’s decision to establish its medical cannabis program, and are there areas where it has succeeded or could be improved through appropriate state or federal action?
Michael Chiaradio:
I believe Mississippi made the right decision in establishing a regulated medical cannabis program. I believe that qualifying conditions, patient card validity limits, product potency limits, and patient allotment limits deserve continued review.
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 federal offices are offered an opportunity to participate.