Tuesday, August 6, 2019 was a big day in Louisiana. The first medical marijuana was sold in the state. Currently, there are nine pharmacies licensed for the product, but there will be plenty more opening over the coming weeks. Louisiana adds to the ever-growing list of over thirty states that currently offer medical marijuana across the nation.

I know what you're thinking. How is this not against the law? At a federal level, marijuana is banned. There is an amendment in place that protects the marijuana being used for medicinal purposes on a state level.

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Currently, there are only two places in Louisiana that are allowed to grow the product: LSU and Southern University. However, Southern University's crop met with some issues with its grower. After renegotiating with a new grower, Southern expects to have a crop ready for distribution by fall of this year.

The "prescription" issued to a patient needing the treatment is not considered an actual prescription. It is called a recommendation form. This protects the doctor and their license due to a federal law that states they cannot prescribe marijuana. As for price? Patients seeking the treatment can expect to pay up to $200 per product, and it will not be covered under their insurance policies.

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