LA MEDICAL MARIJUANA - Medical marijuana may finally reach Louisiana pharmacies and patients next week if the product passes its final test with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the main regulator of marijuana growers in Louisiana. Yesterday the agency received a random sample of the final product created by LSU and its contractor, GB Sciences.
The agency will test the product for uniformity, potency, and make sure it’s free of contaminants. During an appearance on Public Radio’s "Talk Louisiana" Program, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain warned any problems with sample testing could delay product release but he remained optimistic.
"There are no problems, no contaminations, no adulterations and we don't expect any," explained Strain. "Because we have tested all of the products before that, hopefully by the end of the week or early next week there will be product moving into the market."
Patients and owners of the state’s nine designated medical marijuana pharmacies have been anxiously awaiting the medical cannabis for months as its release has been pushed back repeatedly since Louisiana lawmakers made the drug legal for medicinal use in 2015 and once more in 2016.
Once it reaches the nine approved dispensaries the medical marijuana will be dispensed in liquid form and can be applied as drops or through an inhaler similar to those used by asthma patients.