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The first medical pot is on track to be planted Friday after a successful meeting between the Ag Department, the LSU Ag Center, and GB Sciences, gave the green light for GB to start the process of growing the medicinal marijuana. It’s a temporary go ahead for GB, who provides the plants for LSU. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says they had to survey the facility before giving the thumbs up.

 

Cut 3 (08) “the product”

Weed usually takes about three months to mature from the time it’s planted in a nursery, which has led to concern from pharmacies that any further delays would end up hitting the businesses bottom line as the dispensaries open, with no product to sell.

Strain says the grower is prepping to begin growing, but they aren’t starting from the place you might expect.

Cut 4 (06) “tissue culture”

The cannabis will only be available in oil and pill form, and reportedly lacks much of the psychoactive effects of street level pot.

Strain says the facility and GB Sciences still have some hurdles to clear for permanent authorization. He says they’ll need to discover whether or not pesticides will be necessary for the growth of the treatment.

Cut 5 (08)  “ is used” 

The first medical marijuana is expected to hit select pharmacies starting in November.

 

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A new report from the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network has evaluated Louisiana in its fight against the disease.  Among the areas of concern, access to care, quality of life, and prevention.  ACS-CAN spokesperson Lance Barbour says the state has fallen short in the legislative efforts to combat second hand smoke.

Cut 6 (08) “…at this time.”

Barbour says the state’s medicaid expansion is a noteworthy highlight.

Cut 7 (07) “…met that goal.”

Barbour says an area where the state excels is reducing the risks associated with tanning beds in youth.

Cut 8 (06) “…of their parent.”

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State Superintendent of Education John White says it’s time to start paying the state’s teachers more money. As a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster this morning, White discussed the recovery of the economy and increased stability in the budget, now is the time to make sure teacher’s pay is keeping up with competition in other states and other industries.  White says the message is very clear.

Cut 9 (07)  “…most in demand.”

White says Louisiana was at the southern regional national average as recently as just a few years ago but recently has fallen behind.

Cut 10 (07) “…with our competitors.”

White says the state has the biggest need in STEM teachers, adding the biggest demand for talent isn’t other states school systems, it’s other industries.

Cut 11 (10) “…them lucrative salaries.”

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A former St. Tammany Parish Deputy has pleaded guilty to shaking down citizens for pot, not filing reports about the seizure, and later distributing it to his special someone. Kenneth Szalajeski will serve ten years in prison for the actions which happened of the course of five months. District Attorney Warren Montgomery says he was arrested last year after a narcotics investigation revealed…

Cut 12 (11)   “his girlfriend.”

Montgomery says he’s plead guilty to two counts of Distribution, and…

Cut 13 (11) “engaged in.”

According to reports, it wasn’t just weed that Officer Szalajeski was shuttling off to his boo. He reportedly took alcohol and other contraband from the stops. Montgomery says he was initially accused of doing the shakedowns more than twice but…

Cut 14 (10) “two instances”