Although seven companies have submitted proposals to handle medical marijuana operations for the LSU Agricultural Center, some bidders question whether the program can prosper under the limitations of the current state law. Others are less pessimistic.

It could take years but it would be possible to push through changes needed to treat more patients and make the business viable, said Jacob Irving, who has supported the use of medical marijuana since he learned chemical compounds in the plants could help relieve the jerky movements and muscle stiffness caused by his cerebral palsy.

The LSU law student is such a staunch advocate that he testified before the Legislature about the medication’s importance — and he is now behind a company bidding for LSU’s medical marijuana business despite his concerns about its viability.

“Under our current regulations, there really isn’t any way that this is profitable. It’s not the big cash cow that everyone thinks it is, and a lot of it has to do with different regulatory requirements,” said Irving, who helped form Southern Roots Therapeutics. [Read more at the Advocate]