Seven firms apply to run Louisiana university’s medical cannabis grow

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Southern University in Louisiana has received seven applications from private companies bidding to run the school’s medical marijuana cultivation operation, including three that failed to win a similar contract with Louisiana State University.

According to The Advocate of Baton Rouge, the university received applications from:

  • Advanced Bio Medical
  • AquaPharm
  • Citiva Louisiana
  • Columbia Care
  • Med Louisiana
  • Southern Roots
  • United States Hemp Corp.

Citiva, Columbia and Southern Roots also attempted to win the Louisiana State University contract, which ultimately went to Nevada-based GB Sciences.

Southern is expected to finish reviewing the applications by the end of the month and then will interview three or four finalists before choosing a winner.

The contract will last five years, and the winning bidder will have to shell out $5 million-$7 million for cultivation expenses connected with the grow.

Under Louisiana’s strict MMJ law, only LSU and Southern will be allowed to grow medical cannabis, and the product will be sold to patients via nine state-licensed pharmacies that will probably operate much the same as dispensaries in other states with MMJ programs.

Cultivation could begin before the end of the year, meaning sales may start in 2018.