Louisiana doctors not showing much interest in MMJ program

As Louisiana’s medical marijuana program nears its launch, only two doctors have applied for permission to recommend the drug, raising questions about whether the state’s MMJ system will need tweaking in order to establish a viable industry.

One application for the permit required to recommend MMJ to patients has been approved for a Baton Rouge physician and the other application is under review, according to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

The pharmacist who sponsored the state’s MMJ laws said he’s not worried just yet.

Republican Sen. Fred Mills hopes to see an uptick in permit requests from doctors in early 2018 when the growing operations have started, MMJ sales are only months away and patients start asking how they’ll get it.

Louisiana’s law will eventually get medical cannabis to people with cancer, a severe form of cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy and other diseases.

The state allows marijuana in the form of medicinal oils, pills, sprays and topical applications, but it cannot be sold in a form that can be smoked.

Only the agricultural centers at Louisiana State University and Southern University are allowed to grow MMJ.

– Associated Press