A House committee advances legislation that would move regulatory power of the state’s medical marijuana program out of the Ag Department and into the Department of Health. Making the product available to the public has faced repeated delays and grower GB Sciences President John Davis is tired of the wait.
“We have made several efforts to try and change this dysfunctional dance, and so we are looking for some other opportunity to make this work.”
GB Sciences is partnered with the LSU AgCenter to grow part of the state’s medical marijuana crop.
Ag Commissioner Mike Strain surprised the committee by revealing they discovered a pesticide and mercury in GB’s crop, but Davis says they’ve independently tested every facet of their growing process, and there’s no mercury to be found. Davis says it’s another example of a deteriorating line of communication.
“If there are anomalies that are found, sit down and talk with us so that we can work through it instead of ambushing us in a public meeting.”
Strain says the amount of mercury was within safe levels.
Strain defended his department against accusations they have been responsible for the frequent delays. The commissioner says they’ve followed every protocol necessary to ensure the plant is safe for consumption.
“We did not ask to have this in the department, it has never been funded, we’ve done everything in our power to do that which has been charged of us, and at the end of the day, our number one concern is patient safety.”
The legislation is being brought by Opelousas Representative Dustin Miller.
