The top medical marijuana grower in Louisiana plans to double its cannabis growing space in 2023 due to anticipated increased demand and new laws that have simplified regulations, respectively. The LSU AgCenter’s business partner, Good Day Farm, is expanding its Ruston, Louisiana, mega facility from 225,000 square feet to 250,000 square feet, adding 40,000 square feet of cultivation space.
According to a statement given to USA Today Network by David Kirsch, vice president of Ruston operations at Good Day Farm, “with the considerable advancements made to the medical marijuana program by the Legislature, we knew patient count and demand would eventually increase, so we moved into a 225,000 square foot facility in 2021 with over 220 people.”
More than 40,000 square feet of indoor gardens are currently in use, and another 40,000 square feet of indoor gardens are projected to be in use by the second quarter of 2023, so we’re well prepared to meet the highest anticipated patient needs,” Kirsch added.
In Louisiana, only the LSU AgCenter, the Southern AgCenter, and their business partners are authorized to grow medical marijuana under the state’s medical marijuana program. Online cannabis business website MJBizDaily predicts $450 million in annual sales from medical marijuana in Louisiana by 2025.
The city council in Ruston authorized a discounted energy rate for Good Day Farm last month to help with the expense of new transformers needed to fuel the expansion. According to Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker, “We are tremendously happy with their expansion and job creation.” The company has been a fantastic collaborator.
Good Day Farm, the medicinal marijuana producer for LSU AgCenter, is increasing output at its new 225,000-square-foot facility in Ruston. The date is January 19, 2022, Wednesday. There is also an LSU AgCenter research lab on the premises of Good Day’s smaller growing plant in Baton Rouge.
A new report from the LSU AgCenter claims that the corporation spent over $50 million on its Louisiana operations in 2022 and harvested almost 17,000 pounds of marijuana. Good Day and LSU cited a number of pro-growth policies that will take effect in 2022, including those that would do away with red tape so that patients always have access to a sufficient supply of necessary medications and medical supplies.
There will be more labs allowed to conduct final tests on all products; regulatory oversight will shift from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture to the Louisiana Department of Health; telemedicine access will be expanded; nurse practitioners and psychologists will be able to make recommendations; and delivery will be required.
