Louisiana’s Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center and Ilera Holistic Healthcare have launched a range of THC-based medical cannabis products.
The line is called AYO and follows the earlier launch of ALAFIA, a hemp-derived CBD product line. While AYO will only be available in Louisiana, ALAFIA will be available online across the USA within a few months. Both products are verified pesticide-free; an attribute that may be particularly important to those with comprised immune systems.
“With the launch of both CBD and THC medical marijuana products, Southern continues to set precedents in innovation,” said Ray L. Belton, president of the Southern University System. “In addition to providing healthcare options for Louisiana residents, our valued partner, Ilera, is able to hire local talent. All of this impacts our state’s economy directly while expanding the Southern University brand.”
Last month, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law new rules expanding the state’s therapeutic cannabis program. HB819 (now Act no. 286) authorizes the recommendation of medical marijuana for any condition it may benefit and allows any state-licensed physician in good standing to recommend medical cannabis. The new rules kick in from August 1.
“We are grateful to the entire state legislature in welcoming our input throughout the long history of this bill and listening to the voices of our patients, advocates, doctors and industry colleagues,” said Ilera Holistic Healthcare CEO, Chanda Macias.
Southern University says it is the first historically black university (HBCU) producer participating in both the cannabis and hemp sectors. Hemp is cannabis, but we get what they mean.
The University and Ilera share one of only two cannabis licenses in the state of Louisiana. Louisiana State University (LSU), which partnered with Wellcana for production of medicines, is the other licence holder.
Senate Bill 271 (Act 96) gave Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center and the LSU Agricultural Center the right of first refusal to be licensed, either separately or jointly, as the state’s production facility for medical marijuana.
On a related note, the name Ilera may ring a bell with Australian readers – in December last year, a merger between Australian medical cannabis company Zelda Therapeutics Limited (ASX: ZLD) and the USA’s Ilera Therapeutics LLC was completed, creating a company called Zelira Therapeutics. Ilera Therapeutics was a company spun out of Ilera Healthcare.
