Three months later: How are northwest Louisiana medical marijuana patients doing?

Hope Pharmacy in Shreveport distributed its first rounds of marijuana-based medications to patients a little more than three months ago.

So, how are these patients doing? 

Dr. Doug Boudreaux, pharmacist and pharmacy co-owner, has observed about a 95% success rate in patients once optimal dosing is achieved.

"It is literally changing peoples lives. I have handed out 55 brochures on how to taper off of opioids which I think is quite remarkable. Patients are finally seeing some hope which is why we started this in the first place," Boudreaux said. 

Boudreaux has been a pharmacist for nearly three decades. He said he has never seen so many patients crying with joyful tears and getting relief in such a dynamic way that medical marijuana offers.

"Medical marijuana has about 500 different components which makes it an intriguing product. It is such a unique product that shows great promise," he said.

"Patients that have been desperate for help for such a long time are finally getting relief."

Hope Pharmacy opened its doors in early August to provide patients with their first dosages -- Dian Snowden being the very first to collect her medication in northwest Louisiana. 

The 77-year-old Natchitoches woman has had cancer three times; breast cancer twice and most recently lung cancer.

The numerous surgeries and radiation treatments left her with a residual chronic pain, so she turned to medical marijuana as a possible means to help her feel more comfortable in her own body. 

MORE: Medical marijuana pharmacy in Shreveport dispenses first dosages

"The neurological pain from the surgeries has subsided. The spasms in the area of my shoulder blade have subsided, and I did not have to have a steroid injection. And I have far less anxiety," Snowden told The Times of her experience since beginning her treatment.

"In general, I am in a better mood. I consider this all lagniappe since I wasn’t even expecting it."

The only down side is that she has gained about six pounds, she said.

Pain management was a large reason for Snowden to try marijuana-based medicine, but her being chemically sensitive was another reason. 

Snowden is sensitive to most medications and cannot tolerate opioids -- which posed a challenge after surgery for lung cancer. 

She had to start off small and slowly build up to her full dosage on her medical marijuana treatment, and checks in regularly to see if her treatment needs to be tweaked. 

MORE: What's the job of a medical marijuana doctor? Here's what a local physician has to say

"I was not getting as much pain relief as I had hoped, so the formula was changed to THC-rich. I became concerned that this may mean that I would have a 'high' from it," she said.

"...I am relieved not to have had a 'high.'"

In order to receive medical marijuana, the patient must have it recommended to them by a physician who is licensed in Louisiana and part of the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners Medical Marijuana Program. A legitimate doctor-patient relationship must also be established.

See where licensed marijuana pharmacies are located in Louisiana:

Emily Enfinger is the breaking news reporter for The Shreveport Times, covering crime and court. Follow her on Twitter at @EmilyEnfinger.

Have a news tip? Email Emily at eenfinger@gannett.com.