Individuals suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, chronic pain, severe muscle spasms and P-T-S-D would be able to receive a prescription for medical marijuana under legislation that was approved by the full House. The bill is sponsored by Baton Rouge Representative Ted James.
James says, "This, quite frankly, is a huge step in us being able to prolong life or to make life more enjoyable."
The measure still needs Senate approval. Leesville Representative James Armes says he hosted 17 wounded vets at Fort Polk recently and they said medical marijuana would be beneficial for the issues they face each day.
Armes says, "The veterans plus the wounded warriors that are coming back from overseas would like to see this bill pass."
In 2016, the state legislature set up the framework for the legal dispensing of medical marijuana and 10 different conditions would be eligible for a prescription. James bill will add to that list and he hopes it will result in more people using medical pot, instead of pain killers.
James says, "We are experiencing a significant number of deaths due to the opioid crisis, and I think that this is another instrument that will allow us move in the right direction."
Its expected medical marijuana will be available to Louisiana patients later this year.