Raw, plant-based medical marijuana is on the verge of becoming legal in Louisiana for medical use.In this state, any doctor can write a prescription for any type of pain-related ailment.So with business about to boom — some want to know how the state will keep up with the supply if there is going to be an increase in demand.July 1. That’s the date marijuana flowers could soon be sold in Louisiana for people to smoke for medical use.It only needs the signature of Gov. John Bel Edwards to become legal after the legislature passed the measure in both the House and Senate.”The industry is very excited about the passage of flower in the state of Louisiana, there’s a lot of anticipation that this will allow more patients to participate in the program,” said Keith Pittman, owner of Louisiana Medical Marijuana Doctors Holistic Medicine.Pittman says in dozens of others states that have taken similar actions, the marijuana flower dominates business.”In other states, it shows that 50% of the sales are generated from flower,” Pittman said.Right now, under the current law, only droplets, inhalers and gummies can be used for medical use.But that’s about to change, and some in Baton Rouge have questions.”The supply is not possible going to keep up with the demand, it’s going to increase the amount the pharmacies will have to dispense,” said state Rep. Joe Marino, a Democrat from Gretna.Marino tried – unsuccessfully – this legislative session to add a grow farm to Jefferson Parish.His bill didn’t make it out of committee.Only LSU and Southern University – and their private partners – can grow marijuana now.Marino supports the idea of selling flowers but feels the state needs more farms to grow the product.”We’re not going to be able to keep up and we’ll only be failing the patients,” Marino said.Marino recently backed a house resolution to look into the entire medical marijuana business. In essence, looking for more answers from those who grow it.Pittman says regardless of who grows it, this is a game changer for this industry.”It’s cheaper to produce, that means more people can participate in the program because it’s a cheaper product,” Pittman said.The governor has given no indications that he will veto this legislation.
Raw, plant-based medical marijuana is on the verge of becoming legal in Louisiana for medical use.
In this state, any doctor can write a prescription for any type of pain-related ailment.
So with business about to boom — some want to know how the state will keep up with the supply if there is going to be an increase in demand.
July 1. That’s the date marijuana flowers could soon be sold in Louisiana for people to smoke for medical use.
It only needs the signature of Gov. John Bel Edwards to become legal after the legislature passed the measure in both the House and Senate.
“The industry is very excited about the passage of flower in the state of Louisiana, there’s a lot of anticipation that this will allow more patients to participate in the program,” said Keith Pittman, owner of Louisiana Medical Marijuana Doctors Holistic Medicine.
Pittman says in dozens of others states that have taken similar actions, the marijuana flower dominates business.
“In other states, it shows that 50% of the sales are generated from flower,” Pittman said.
Right now, under the current law, only droplets, inhalers and gummies can be used for medical use.
But that’s about to change, and some in Baton Rouge have questions.
“The supply is not possible going to keep up with the demand, it’s going to increase the amount the pharmacies will have to dispense,” said state Rep. Joe Marino, a Democrat from Gretna.
Marino tried – unsuccessfully – this legislative session to add a grow farm to Jefferson Parish.
His bill didn’t make it out of committee.
Only LSU and Southern University – and their private partners – can grow marijuana now.
Marino supports the idea of selling flowers but feels the state needs more farms to grow the product.
“We’re not going to be able to keep up and we’ll only be failing the patients,” Marino said.
Marino recently backed a house resolution to look into the entire medical marijuana business.
In essence, looking for more answers from those who grow it.
Pittman says regardless of who grows it, this is a game changer for this industry.
“It’s cheaper to produce, that means more people can participate in the program because it’s a cheaper product,” Pittman said.
The governor has given no indications that he will veto this legislation.
