Long-delayed Louisiana medical marijuana sales begin; small market projected

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Louisiana medical marijuana launch, Long-delayed Louisiana medical marijuana sales begin; small market projected

(This story has been updated to include new information about the kickoff of MMJ sales in Louisiana.)

Louisiana launched medical cannabis sales after years of waiting, but market growth is expected to prove constrained because of bans on smokable flower and vaporizers, high prices and various regulations.

Because of the delays, Marijuana Business Daily projects sales this year will reach only $1 million-$1.5 million.

Randy Mire, founder and CEO of Capitol Wellness Solutions in Baton Rouge, said his dispensary recorded the first sales to patients in the state Tuesday morning.

Three patients received MMJ during Capitol’s grand opening: two cancer patients and a war veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

At least two other dispensaries, Hope Pharmacy in Shreveport and Willow Pharmacy in Madisonville, were expected to begin sales Tuesday by appointment, according to local news reports.

Louisiana’s program has a total of nine dispensaries statewide.

Hundreds of MMJ patients in Louisiana are on a waiting list to receive medical cannabis. The dispensaries will notify patients when their orders are ready.

Limited variety, high prices

Initially, the only products on the shelves are three types of tinctures, or liquids that can be used with a dropper.

Price per 30-cubic-centimeter bottle is expected to range from about $90 for a CBD-rich solution to as much as $200 for a THC-rich solution, according to Mire.

Kevin Caldwell, founder and president of Common Sense NOLA, which long fought for MMJ legalization, said he’s glad sales finally are starting, but he is concerned prices will be out of reach for many.

“I don’t feel at this point the program is going to be sustainable as it is (written) today,” Caldwell said.

He said that the long fight against legalization opponents such as local prosecutors and sheriffs has resulted in a compromise that has created “one of the most restrictive programs in the country, if not the most restrictive.”

But Mire said he believes Louisiana is setting a robust standard, with high dosages allowed and pharmacists and physicians in control.

“It’s a model that brings quality to the program,” Mire said.

The market saw delays due to a series of events, including disagreements between grower partnerships and the state agriculture department.

Testing also has been an issue.

The state said it couldn’t find a qualified independent lab and is testing the product itself. A rejected lab sued the state.

Cultivation and processing is restricted to two state universities that are working with private contractors.

Only one partnership – Louisiana State University/GB Sciences – has product available.

Enough product for the launch?

Mire said each of the dispensaries should receive enough supply to satisfy initial demand.

He said his dispensary will call in about 30 patients a day until it has caught up with its backlog.

GB Sciences has said it will make other products available over time.

There is no patient registry. Physicians registered in the program must recommend medical cannabis to patients, who are allowed only a one-month supply at a time.

Caldwell is concerned some doctors will want to see their patients often in order to refill the medication, adding to consumer costs. That, in turn, will dampen market demand.

But Mire said he is hearing that doctors in the program are being flexible, “and most only are going to require a visit once a year.”

Here are some other basics to the program:

  • Cannabis products can take the form of only pills, oils, sprays and topicals such as transdermal patches.
  • Only 88 physicians currently are listed as active, according to an online data base. Some doctors reportedly balked because of social stigma or fear of prosecution given that MMJ remains illegal under federal law.
  • Qualifying conditions include cancer, HIV/AIDS, cachexia or wasting syndrome, glaucoma, spasticity, severe muscle spasms, intractable pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson’s disease, seizure disorders, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, muscular dystrophy, autism spectrum disorder and multiple sclerosis.
  • Louisiana has relaxed its regulations slightly over the years. For example, it enacted a law this year allowing metered-dose inhalers.

Jeff Smith can be reached at jeffs@mjbizdaily.com