State Treasurer John Schroder becomes the second major candidate to run for governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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A ruling clears up what type of visit a physician can recommend medical marijuana in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains.
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State Treasurer John Schroder tells supporters he plans to run for governor and will officially launch his campaign next month. Meanwhile, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is not expected to enter the race. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says another major candidate left to decide is Congressman Garret Graves…
Graves has not given an indication on when he’ll announce his intentions on running for governor. The Baton Rouge native is beginning his fifth term representing the state’s 6th Congressional District, which covers Baton Rouge and a portion of the Bayou Parishes, including Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes.
Waguespack says Senator John Kennedy’s decision not to run was the first big domino to fall, Graves’ announcement would be the next….
Republican state lawmakers Richard Nelson and Sharon Hewitt are other possible candidates. Waguespack says on the Democrat side, State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is seriously considering running…
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According to an opinion from Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, physicians can recommend medical marijuana to patients via a telemedicine visit. Gretna Representative Joe Marino says while doctors can’t prescribe schedule 2 medication like narcotics without an in-person visit, marijuana is not in the same classification.
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Both Landry and Marino interpreted the law regarding doctor visits and access to medical marijuana to allow telemedicine visits. Medical marijuana can only legally be recommended by physicians who participate in the program. Marino says the ruling also helps those in rural areas who have difficulty seeing physicians in general.
Marino says the legislature passed the law to allow access to those who can benefit from medical marijuana and the law removed such hurdles it wasn’t intended to create more. Marino says a telemedicine visit is appropriate for someone who’s in hospice or….
Marino says the state’s medical marijuana program continues to need revisions so it’s more accessible and affordable.
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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says a lawsuit filed against him by longtime State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton is possibly politically motivated. Hamilton alleges Nungesser fired her and had her marched out of her office after she reported him to the FBI and other investigators over what she calls “questionable contracts.” On Jim Engster’s “Talk Louisiana” radio show, Nungesser says he had nothing to do with Hamilton being placed on administrative leave…:
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Nungesser was questioned by the FBI about some contracts awarded by his agency, but no charges were ever filed. Hamilton’s lawsuit asks the judge to prevent Nungesser from taking enforcement action against her related to her being placed in leave in September. Nungesser says he suspects the lawsuit was intended to hurt him politically..:
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Nungesser says he did not hire Hamilton and he cannot fire her either. She is currently on leave and collecting her state salary. He says the actions taken against her were because of library employee grievances and the state Library Board will deal with the matter….:
Nungesser says the lawsuit is an attempt to discredit him as he runs for either higher office or re-election. His decision on that is expected tomorrow morning.
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State Treasurer John Schroder tells his supporters he’s running for governor and that makes him the second major candidate to declare his candidacy. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says now that Senator John Kennedy is no longer a factor expect to see more candidates jump in the race.
Pinsonat believes over the next two months, rumored candidates will make it known if they are in or out of the governor’s race.
When it comes to fundraising, Pinsonat says Attorney General Jeff Landry has a huge advantage with the backing of the state Republican party. He says gubernatorial candidates have to raise a minimum of five million to be considered a viable contenders.
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is expected to officially announce tomorrow he’s not running for governor.