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Louisiana's medical marijuana program is slow moving despite increase in demand

epa02310452 A worker tends to cannabis plants at a growing facility for the Tikun Olam company near the northern Israeli town of Safed on 31 August 2010. In conjunction with Israel's Health Ministry, the company currently distributes cannabis or Marijuana for medicinal purposes to over 1,800 people to help relieve pain caused by various health conditions. EPA/ABIR SULTAN ISRAEL OUT
ABIR SULTAN/EPA
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ANSA
epa02310452 A worker tends to cannabis plants at a growing facility for the Tikun Olam company near the northern Israeli town of Safed on 31 August 2010. In conjunction with Israel's Health Ministry, the company currently distributes cannabis or Marijuana for medicinal purposes to over 1,800 people to help relieve pain caused by various health conditions. EPA/ABIR SULTAN ISRAEL OUT

Louisiana has been slow to join a majority of American states now regulating marijuana in medical programs. In January, the 2-year-old program began offering raw cannabis — or flower product — to its patients.

But so far, it’s been a bumpy road, with long lines, high prices, substitutions, and waits for up to a week.

The Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing on medical marijuana programs Wednesday. Today, the House’s Medical Marijuana Commission chair, Rep. Joe Marino (I-Gretna), tells us why these programs have been slow moving, and what he hopes to do about it.

And we hear an update on Louisiana’s weather from meteorologist Dan Holiday.

Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karl Lengel. Our producer is Alana Schreiber and our digital editor is Katelyn Umholtz. Our engineers are Garrett Pittman, Aubry Procell, and Thomas Walsh. 

You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:30 pm. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts. 

Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

Karl Lengel has returned to New Orleans to serve as WWNO’s local host for All Things Considered, a post he held here pre-Katrina. Besides radio, Karl has had a long theatrical career too; read on to learn all about our talented and versatile announcer!
Alana Schreiber is the managing producer for the live daily news program, Louisiana Considered. She comes to WRKF from KUNC in Northern Colorado, where she worked as a radio producer for the daily news magazine, Colorado Edition. She has previously interned for Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul and The Documentary Group in New York City.