BATON ROUGE (AP) — Lawmakers in the Louisiana House have agreed to give the agriculture department up to 7 percent of the revenue from sales of medical marijuana, to pay for agency costs of regulating the drug.
The bill by Rep. Major Thibaut, a New Roads Democrat, also includes a list of fees the agriculture department would charge the medicinal plant's state-sanctioned grower, including a $100,000 annual incense fee and a $10,000 application fee.
Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says he needs the money to cover costs up to $700,000 annually.
The proposal heads to the Senate for debate, after winning House passage with a 67-21 vote Monday.
Estimates are the state is 18 months to two years away from medical marijuana sales. The grower and distributors haven't been chosen.
For more information about House Bill 1099 click here.
