For the first time ever, a university is getting involved in the CBD trade.
Many land grant and research universities leverage their resources to spur on young businesses, incubating promising ideas until they are ready for market. Most recently, Southern University and A&M College has made history by first university to start its own CBD company.
The startup is called Ilera Holistic Healthcare, and it already sells medical marijuana products but hopes to break into nationwide CBD sales soon. [1]
Alafia Healthcare will be the going brand name of Ilera’s CBD line, according to reporting in the Advocate. [1]
CBD has grown in popularity for its natural manufacture and popular uses against chronic pain, anxiety and forms of epilepsy, among other common problems.
There are currently four different CBD products ranging from $40 to $80, the Advocate reports. [1]
Southern University and A&M College are historically-black institutions, according to Forbes, and have educated black students since the 1800s. [2]
“Our team of experts created a superior hemp derived product with patients in mind,” Ilera Holistic Healthcare’s Chairman Osagie Imasogie told Forbes. “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.” [2]
Ilera CEO Chanda Macias told the Advocate that she and the rest of the team hope to work with farmers across Louisiana when they begin receiving their first hemp permits next month. [1]
“This is an exciting time for healthcare and business here in the state of Louisiana, and Southern University is honored to be a part of it all,” Ray Belton, Southern University president, told local ABC affiliate WBRZ 2. “Southern has been a leader in agriculture and the sciences for 140 years while staying true to its mission of access.” [3]
Macias told WBRZ that the emphasis of the young company would be to create affordable products to those most in need of quality health care alternatives. [3]
"Patients now have the ability to purchase ALAFIA over the counter without a prescription anywhere it is available,” Macias told WBRZ. [3]
Sources
[3] http://www.wbrz.com/news/su-ag-center-first-hbcu-to-release-cbd-products-to-licensed-pharmacies
