Vermilion Parish legislators split on Medical Marijuana bill

Despite “nays” from local state legislators, a medical marijuana bill is awaiting signature from Governor Bobby Jindal.

The bill, which Jindal has already signal he’d sign if it came to his desk, clarifies laws from the 1970s and the 1990s that legalize medical marijuana, but don’t set up rules concerning control and dispensing of the drug. Currently, there’s no means of producing the drugs derived from marijuana that are used for medical purposes.

“Only the state can grow and produce [the drug] in one place,” said state representative Bob Hensgens (R-Gueydan). “And, only oils can be prescribed by physicians and only six pharmacies can dispense it.

“It’s a pharmaceutical-backed solution,” he added. “It has tight state controls over both the growing and the production of the oils for use only with a prescription. The controls on these oils were so tightened that the Sheriff’s Association did not oppose the bill.”
Hensgens is one of the 70 state representatives who voted for the bill in the House. Blake Miguez (R-Erath), meanwhile, voted against it.

“Although I have compassion for those who need the medicine, I have a newborn little girl that will grow up one day, [and I] worry that this is an early step to future legalization of recreational use,” Miguez said. “What type of message are we sending to our future generation? Why is it not approved by the FDA? There are still a lot of unanswered questions about how it will be implemented.”

Jonathan Perry (R-Kaplan) voted against the bill in the Senate, but gave no comment, while Nancy Landry (R-Lafayette), who also represents part of the parish, voted for it.

The bill, Senate Bill 143, was sponsored by Fred Mills (R-New Iberia). It establishes a system where the Louisiana State University and Southern University Agricultural Centers get the right of “first refusal,” meaning that they can, seperately or jointly, cultivate the plants for the state.

With an AgCenter in the parish, Miguez expressed uncertainty about how it would be used. “Will it be grown at the AgCenter next to where our children conduct 4-H projects,” he asked. “How secure will it be? As a parent, I am concerned.”

The overseeing of the entire enterprise is divided between three state bodies. The Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners will set rules regarding prescriptions and the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy will create rules dealing dispenseries. One of the Board of Pharmacy’s bigger tasks is also coming up with a procedure for testing the levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the developed drugs.

The Department of Agriculture and Forestry will oversee who cultivates and produces the marijuana. If the LSU and Southern AgCenters decline the task, then the bill describes how licenses are to be awarded.