Committee reports medical‑marijuana provision moving pharmacy oversight to LDH with higher per‑location fee

The committee on June 8 reported House Bill 657 favorable. Representative Reiser presented the bill, which moves administration of certain medical‑marijuana pharmacy licensing responsibilities from the Pharmacy Board to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Representatives and industry witnesses said LDH ran a fee analysis and estimated a per‑location fee of $22,500; the sponsor and industry representatives said pharmacies and LDH had agreed that the fee would cover the program’s costs. Danny Ford of the Louisiana Association for Therapeutic Alternatives confirmed the parties had worked with LDH on the fee amount and supported reporting the bill favorable.

The bill’s supporters listed in committee included Danny Ford, Peter Prevost (Louisiana Therapeutics Association) and several industry representatives. Senator Andrews moved to report the bill favorable; there were no objections.