About
The Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association, or 3MA, represents the interests of the diverse group of business licensees in Mississippi’s medical marijuana industry.
3MA members include cultivators, processors, retailers, entrepreneurs, and allied businesses. The primary focus of 3MA is to monitor legislative and regulatory activity, to advocate for its members, and to be a single and coherent political voice representing the interests of business and the patients they serve. Membership in 3MA provides access to educational and informational resources, networking opportunities with fellow licensees and ancillary service providers, and governmental affairs representation.
In addition to ensuring our members’ interests are represented at the state and local level, 3MA provides its members with educational opportunities, staff training, and industry insights to help them achieve business success.
3MA has strong leadership at the board and staff level and contracts with a number of consultants to provide effective strategic communications and government affairs representation. Our team is comprised of professionals who have been instrumental in the organization and adoption of Mississippi’s medical marijuana program. We also have a reputation of working with state and local regulators and policymakers to ensure Mississippi patients have access to medical marijuana through a well-regulated program.
Our Team
Henry Crisler
Henry is the Executive Director of 3MA. He previously served as Assistant Director of the Association under Ken Newburger. Henry has been involved in the medical marijuana industry in Mississippi since 2020 when he served as the Field Coordinator for the Medical Marijuana 2020 Campaign. Henry holds a BS of Political Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.
William Chism
William Chism is the CEO of River Remedy, a medical cannabis company headquartered in Byram, MS. River Remedy was the first company to ship medical cannabis products to Mississippi patients, launch processed goods and achieve vertical integration with the launch of its flagship dispensary, the first dispensary to open in Hinds County.
William Chism is a Mississippi native and grew up in the Jackson metro area. He holds a Yale BA in Political Science and is an MBA Candidate at Harvard Business School. William has a background in finance, with over 5 years of Investment Banking experience at Barclays in New York.
Spence Flatgard
Spence Flatgard serves as Counsel to 3MA and previously served as Counsel and Senior Advisor to the Campaign for Initiative 65. He drafted the constitutional amendment enacting Mississippi’s medical marijuana law and served as a senior advisor to the campaign.
As counsel and advisor to 3MA, Spence will provide legal counsel and help lead a collaborative effort with policy makers to help establish Mississippi’s medical marijuana program as directed by the new law, with the first licenses to be issued by August of 2021. He will rely on his experience serving Mississippi at all levels of government including Chairman of his city’s zoning board, several gubernatorial appointments to legal positions and as Legislative Director for U.S. Senator Roger Wicker. Spence is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America in the practice area of Government Relations.
Spence is partner at Watkins & Eager, PLLC, a firm with more than 125 years of experience in navigating complex legal and regulatory issues while providing solutions for new businesses.
Conner Reeves
Conner Reeves previously served as the policy advisor to the Medical Marijuana 2020 campaign where he was the liaison between the campaign and various state agencies, healthcare organizations and the medical community. Conner will continue in this role by serving as 3MA’s public policy, regulatory, and governmental affairs advisor and will provide informational resources for 3MA members. He also interfaces with and advises regulators, policymakers, and elected officials that are crafting Mississippi’s medical marijuana program. Conner is also an attorney at McLaughlin, PC in Jackson where he works with start-up companies in emerging markets and with clients in highly regulated industries like medical marijuana.
Diesoul Blankenship
Diesoul Blankenship is a 25-year veteran of the Cannabis industry and is the co-founder of Aeroma Cannabis in Hattiesburg, MS. Aeroma Cannabis has been an integral partner in 3MA’s efforts since 2020 and continues to provide our board with valuable insight. Originally from Texas, Diesoul has experience in the cannabis industry across 4 states and has been a resident of MS for over 3 years.
Tommy Krumland
Tommy Krumland is the founder and president of Southern Grown Therapeutics, the first medical cannabis cultivation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As a long-standing member and businessman of the Ocean Springs community, Tommy is committed to helping build a medical cannabis program that meets the needs of all Mississippi patients. Prior to founding Southern Grown, Tommy built a successful business in the automotive industry. Tommy is married with four children and enjoys spearfishing and being on the water.
Michael Kinard
Michael Kinard is an 8th-generation Mississippian from Greenville and currently serves as the Managing Partner of Rootdown MS. Michael previously served in management positions at Ergon, where he learned valuable experience in managing large, state-wide operations. Michael currently lives in the Jackson Metro area and manages Rootdown’s series of dispensary locations across the state of MS, and is also the chair of 3MA’s board of directors.
Joe Calvin
Joe Calvin serves as the Director of Whoelsale Operations for Southern Crop, one of the first license holders in the state of Mississippi. Joe is also the host of an educational podcast focused around cannabis and the people who push this everchanging industry, especially in Mississippi. Being from the south, Joe understands there is a need for further education around cannabis, he stays dedicated to serving the communities where cannabis is new and sparking conversations.
Misti Kobs
Misti has deep roots in Mississippi, where she has lived since she was a small child. She grew up in Madison and attended Belhaven College. Alongside her husband, Jared, she has been involved in the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Program since its earliest days, advocating for its success and growth.
As co-owner of Kudzu Cannabis Company, a vertically integrated medical marijuana operation, Misti oversees daily operations at their dispensary, focusing on providing high-quality care and service to patients across the state. Her passion lies in advancing Mississippi’s medical marijuana program, ensuring it thrives not only as an industry but as a vital resource for the well-being of patients in the community.