As patient demand continues growing, Louisiana's largest medical marijuana pharmacy is significantly expanding its operations and footprint. Capitol Wellness Solutions recently opened a second retail location in Baton Rouge to complement its original pharmacy.
The new facility on O'Neal Lane joins the company's existing medical marijuana dispensary on Picardy Avenue. Both state-of-the-art pharmacies are staffed by experienced pharmacists specially trained in recommending and dispensing marijuana-derived medicines for qualifying conditions like cancer, Crohn's disease, PTSD and chronic pain.
"When we opened Louisiana's first licensed medical marijuana pharmacy in 2019, there were a lot of unknowns around just how many patients would participate," said CEO Randy Mire, PharmD. "Now with thousands of people realizing the benefits of marijuana treatment, this expansion allows us to significantly increase our capacity while improving access and convenience."
Why Medical Marijuana Is a Viable Treatment Option
While recreational marijuana use remains illegal in Louisiana, the state's tightly regulated medical marijuana program has been operational since 2019. It permits physicians to recommend marijuana products for treating a list of specific qualifying medical conditions after exhausting conventional treatment options. For many patients suffering from serious or debilitating issues, medical marijuana can provide a safer, more natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs while offering relief from pain, spasms, nausea, anxiety, insomnia and other difficult symptoms.
"Far too many of my patients were being prescribed highly addictive opioids or medications that really disrupted their quality of life," explained Dr. Kelly Price, who recommends medical marijuana to her patients in Baton Rouge. "Cannabis gives us another viable option in certain cases that lets people find relief without subjecting themselves to those negative effects."
Rather than smoking raw marijuana flower, Louisiana's program allows varied delivery methods like tinctures, topical creams, metered-dose inhalers, edible products, and marijuana concentrate vaporizers for patient consumption. All medical marijuana must be properly tested, packaged and obtained from the state's nine licensed pharmacies like Capitol Wellness Solutions.
Benefits of Obtaining a Medical Marijuana Card
To access these safe, regulated products, patients must first obtain a medical marijuana card from the state following their doctor's recommendation. While often a simple process, getting that legal medical card offers several key benefits:
Provides protection against any potential criminal charges related to marijuana possession for approved therapeutic use
Allows legal purchase, possession and consumption of medical marijuana products from licensed pharmacies
Exempts patients from paying any future taxes or fees imposed on non-medical, recreational use of marijuana products
Safeguards patients' legal rights as Louisiana's medical marijuana policies continue evolving
"For any Louisiana resident whose doctor recommends marijuana as a potentially viable treatment, securing that medical card is absolutely essential," said Dr. Price. "It's about ensuring their legal access to safe medicine, while also protecting themselves in other areas like employment, housing and custody rights as marijuana laws keep changing."
Expanding Louisiana's Therapeutic Marijuana Access
In addition to its new O'Neal Lane pharmacy, Capitol Wellness Solutions has taken several other major steps to improve statewide access to medical marijuana products:
Launched online ordering and free local delivery to patients
Extended hours at both pharmacy locations to include Saturdays
Hired additional staff and expanded its call center to reduce patient wait times
Entered into supply agreements with Louisiana's authorized marijuana cultivation facilities to meet growing inventory needs
As the state's largest medical marijuana pharmacy, the company can now serve upwards of 600 patients per day between its two Baton Rouge locations alone. Mire anticipates they'll add even more facilities across Louisiana in the months ahead based on rising consumer numbers.
"Our goal is to make accessing medical marijuana as streamlined and hassle-free as possible for any patient with a legal recommendation from their physician," he stated. "This latest expansion is another major step in that direction while signaling how much progress Louisiana has made in four short years."
Looking Ahead for Louisiana's Medical Marijuana Industry
Progress indeed seems to be the operative word for Louisiana's medical marijuana program. From its humble beginnings just a few years ago, the market has rapidly evolved to include thousands of active patients and multiple operating pharmacies like Capitol Wellness Solutions.
Looking ahead, the state legislature is expected to debate further policy reforms like expanded qualifying conditions lists, increased product potency limits, and potentially legalizing raw marijuana flower for therapeutic use. Some Republican lawmakers are even making early moves toward eventually launching a legal recreational marijuana program akin to other Southern U.S. states like Arkansas and Maryland. However, that likely remains several years away from serious consideration.
For now, medical marijuana remains the sole legal avenue for Louisianans seeking marijuana's therapeutic benefits. But if current growth trajectories continue, safe and regulated access should become much easier thanks to the pharmacy expansions currently underway. "This is really just the beginning for our state's medical marijuana industry and the patients it serves," said Mire. "We've laid a strong foundation that will keep seeing improvements and greater access points moving forward. It's an exciting time to be part of this movement."
Get Your Medical Marijuana Card Today!
Medical marijuana is legal in the State of Louisiana, and you can get your medical marijuana card today! It is now easier than ever to get your card, so if you think marijuana may benefit you, what are you waiting for?
If you aren’t sure if you qualify for a card, we can help! Just give us a call and we can answer any questions you may have.
Marijuana is an excellent alternative medicine that offers natural, safe, and legal relief for an array of symptoms. If you think marijuana could help some of your symptoms, what are you waiting for?
Schedule an evaluation online today with one of our knowledgeable, compassionate doctors to see if you qualify for your medical card. Not only will you discuss your condition and options, but you can do so through a virtual appointment in the safety of your own home!
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Relief You Can Trust.
At Louisiana Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (833) 253-2943, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!