Southern University get $7 million in grants to develop medical marijuana program

The home of the Dancing Dolls is the first HBCU to make this move.

Southern University and A&M College will be the first HBCU in the nation to offer a medical marijuana program.

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Southern University and A&M College will be the first HBCU in the nation to offer a medical marijuana program. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

Southern University and A&M College will be the first HBCU in the nation to offer a medical marijuana program.

It’s an achievement that the Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based university is proud to attain and marks a significant shift in how pharmaceutical-grade marijuana products are perceived as it gains more acceptance worldwide.

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“This is a momentous event,” said Bobby R. Phills, chancellor of the Southern University Ag Center and dean of the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences to the Undefeated..

“We are extremely excited to be able to provide quality medicine for the citizens of Louisiana. This groundbreaking research opportunity will also provide revenue for the University and economic development in North Baton Rouge.”

Southern University and A&M College will partner with Advanced Biomedics, a Louisiana-based company specializing in pharmaceutical-grade marijuana products. The contract was approved on May 25, reports Baton Rouge’s WAFB.

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The school has plans to build a facility for their cannabis research on a 176-acre plot of land in Baker, Louisiana. Right now, the Southern University Agricultural Center is currently waiting for background checks to be completed from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry which is part of their accrediding process.

Louisiana marijuana dispensaries will get the benefit of receiving their product from Southern University, starting in early 2019. According to reports, the Agricultural Research Center will receive $6 million, and Southern U will receive a $1 million signing bonus with each contract renewal.

The Advanced Biomedics contract will renew its agreement for two consecutive five-year periods.

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According to reports, the school currently focuses on livestock, farming research and community education.

Louisiana State University is another public university that will take part in cannabis research. The state of Louisiana legalized the drug in 2016.

Pharmaceutical grade cannabis has been found to help glaucoma, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, Parkinson’s disease and many other ailments.

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