Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley wants to allow for more access to medical marijuana by increasing the number of licensed pharmacies that distribute cannabis from 10 to 20 in Louisiana with House Bill 425. Bagley, who serves as Chair of House Health and Welfare said the whole purpose for legalizing medical cannabis is to reduce opioid addiction.
“So, if you couldn’t get the medical marijuana the easy way is just to continue to do the opioids. I’m really trying to make it easier to get some if you need it,” said Bagley.
Currently, only 9 pharmacies are licensed, and the 10th license is not in use. Bagley wants that to be addressed also.
Bagley said for example where he lives in Stonewall, if he or one of his constituents needs medical cannabis, they would have to make a 90-minute trip legally access it.
“And while I don’t use it there are plenty of people that do in my area but it’s hard to get it when you’ve got that far to go, especially if you’re poor and don’t have good reliable transportation,” said Bagley.
The Republican lawmaker is a big believer in medical cannabis, in addition to helping with legislation to allow all even more physicians to recommend its use Bagley also has a relative who’s been able to walk now by using marijuana after back pain left her immobile.
“It really is amazing when you see it. It’s one thing for people to tell you because you always think well yeah he’s just exaggerating, but within a month of the first time she took a drop she was back on the treadmill doing a mile,” said Bagley.
Bagley said he’s also presenting complementary legislation to add more legalized growers of marijuana in the state.
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