Southern U. picks contractor to grow medical cannabis in Louisiana

Southern University has selected a vendor to run its medical marijuana program, moving Louisiana’s MMJ industry a step closer to reality.

Southern’s Board of Supervisors chose Lafayette-based Advanced Biomedics to grow the marijuana for the Baton Rouge-based university, which will receive more than $6 million over five years from its cultivation partner.

Under regulations established by the legislature in 2016, Southern and Louisiana State University are the only entities permitted to grow medical cannabis for legal MMJ patients in the state.

LSU completed its cultivation contract with Las Vegas-based GB Sciences earlier this month.

Advanced Biomedics and GB Sciences will produce pharmaceutical grade MMJ for patients with cancer, HIV/AIDS, cachexia (wasting syndrome), seizure disorders, epilepsy, spasticity, Crohn’s disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.

Smokable MMJ products aren’t allowed under state law, but medicinal oils, pills, sprays and topical applications are permitted.

Advanced Biomedics spokesmen said company representatives are licensed in eight MMJ states and the plan is to prepare Southern students to eventually run the university’s program, according to The Advocate.

– Associated Press and Marijuana Business Daily