Over the past week, the governor of Louisiana signed several legislation that will support the state’s medical marijuana business by permitting more shops and allowing out-of-state citizens to purchase MMJ.
Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, approved the following MMJ laws:
House Bill 697 permits an eventual rise in the number of dispensaries, or pharmacies as they are known in Louisiana, from nine to thirty. The currently operating medicinal marijuana dispensaries have the choice to grow. But if a current dispensary declined to construct a second satellite facility, a new MMJ operator might submit an application to enter the market.
House Bill 135 permits medicinal marijuana businesses to sell to out-of-state citizens who possess a legitimate MMJ card from another state. Additionally, the visitor would have to confirm on paper that they met the requirements under Louisiana law.
House Bill 190, which permits specific nurse practitioners to advise patients to use medical marijuana.
The rise of the number of dispensaries was necessitated by Louisiana’s introduction of smokable flower this year.
In accordance with HB 697, the current MMJ operators may open a second dispensary in the same area after they reach 3,500 active patients and a third satellite location once they reach the next 3,500 patients.
Louisiana State University and Southern University, both of which have agreements with private businesses, will continue to exercise strict oversight over marijuana cultivation in the state.
