The two public universities that have held exclusive rights over medical cannabis farming in Louisiana could soon lose their duopoly after the Legislature approved a bill that will fully privatize cultivation in the state.
Senate Bill 228, sponsored by Sen. Patrick McMath, R-Covington, sailed through the Legislature with little opposition and now awaits Gov. Jeff Landry's signature. Louisiana issues only two medical cannabis grower licenses each year. They are currently held by LSU and Southern University. That's been required by law since the state enacted its medical cannabis program in 2015.
"They are the only two higher education systems in the country that are in the pot business right now," McMath said, "and it is my belief that it's time we get them out of that business and let them focus on higher education."
To get their cannabis farms up and running, the colleges partnered with private contractors Good Day Farm and Ilera Holistic Healthcare. McMath's bill will transfer the cultivator licenses to those companies and allow them to keep them as long as they file for renewal each year.
Read more at lailluminator.com