Marijuana Grower Gives Tour Of Cottage Grove Facility
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - In two weeks, the first prescriptions for medical marijuana will be filled in Minnesota.
On Wednesday, one of the two state-approved marijuana growing facilities opened its doors for a tour of its operation.
LeafLine Labs is in Cottage Grove, and members of the Bachman family, as in Bachman flowers, are major investors.
In its indoor facilities, WCCO found thousands of cannabis plants: many varieties and hybrids, kept in special lighting and heat for optimal growth.
In Cottage Grove, horticulture meets medicine.
Dr. Andrew Bachman is an emergency room doctor who's seen his share of patients in pain. He's also the chief medical officer and co-founder of LeafLine Labs.
"We will drop the stigma and the doubt and prove that medical cannabis is a viable option for those who too often have been afforded too little," Bachman said.
He said they were very careful in choosing the type of cannabis plants they grow.
"We have nine conditions that are approved here in Minnesota," he said. "We certainly want to have a variety of cannabinoid profiles available that best treat those conditions specifically."
LeafLine is one of only two medical marijuana facilities in Minnesota where cannabis plants can be legally grown and processed.
John Lane oversees the growing of the plants.
"We monitor our temperature and humidity at certain levels," he said. "Right now we are at about 75, 76 degrees in the room, with humidity at about 60 percent."
Beginning July 1, the medicine will be sold in liquid or pill form, but only to patients who have registered with the Minnesota Department of Health. To do that, you need a doctor to certify your medical condition.
LeafLine Labs will also conduct research.
"The commitment to research is fascinating and exhilarating," Bachman said. "We will unlock the mystery of the whole plant's synergy."
The latest update from the Minnesota Department of Health shows that so far only 14 people have completed the registration process but another 65 are in the middle of signing up.
There are 162 physicians in the process of joining the program so that they can certify patients' conditions. Already, 70 doctors are authorized.
The most common illnesses treated with medical marijuana are epilepsy, cancer and multiple sclerosis.