The Dispensary Will Also Serve as Retail Outlet for CBD Line Produced by Southern University
Responding to the concerns of patients over the prices of medicinal marijuana, H&W Dispensary, which serves the New Orleans region (Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes) and is the only Black-owned dispensary in the state, recently announced that it has reduced the retail price of medical marijuana products by 25 percent “effective immediately”.
Medical marijuana can only be dispensed in Louisiana in the form of pills, oils, liquids or as an inhaler to treat specific conditions, including autism, cancer, chronic pain, Crohn’s Disease, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe muscle spasms and seizure disorders. Liquid tinctures, which come with a dropper for patients to use, can cost anywhere for $90 to over $200 a bottle–a cost not covered by insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare, according to medical marijuana advocates.
“We made the decision to lower our prices because a lot of people were saying that the treatments were working for them, but they couldn’t afford it,” says Ruston Henry, owner of H&W Dispensary and H&W Pharmacy. It was important to us that people be able to receive the treatments they needed. The idea of person in pain or a child missing school because of seizures because they couldn’t afford this medical treatment didn’t make sense to us. It’s helping people so we wanted to make it more accessible.”
Meanwhile, H&W will also feature a line of hemp-derived CBD products produced by Southern University and A&M College with its partner Ilera Holistic Healthcare. Southern is the first HBCU to a launch a CBD line, and the products, called ALAFIA, will be sold at H&W Dispensary and other dispensaries across the state.
“Our team of experts created a superior hemp derived product with patients in mind,” says Ilera Holistic Healthcares chairman, Osagie Imasogie. “We are proud of this partnership with Southern University and pleased to know our product will be available to the people of Louisiana and beyond.”
In reference to carrying SU’s ALAFIA line, Henry says “Southern University came out with a product. It’s been tested and meets all of the standards. They are a Louisiana company. We are a Louisiana company, so we are buying local.”
The lab tested and pesticide-free products are currently available in select locations across Louisiana and will soon be available throughout the nation. The two featured products, Isolate CBD and Full Spectrum CBD are currently on shelves.
“Our vision has always been patient access and affordability,” said Chanda Macias, chief executive officer of Ilera Holistic Healthcare. “It was imperative for us to bring high-quality products that support health and wellness. Patients now have the ability to purchase ALAFIA over the counter without a prescription anywhere it is available.”
