Charlie Greer, a 20-year veteran of the Lousiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry, former law enforcement officer, and long-time farmer announced his candidacy on the democratic ticket for Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry yesterday, April 8, 2019.
“I’ve given the biggest part of my life to public service and the Department of Agriculture & Forestry in the great state of Louisiana,” Greer said. “As your Commissioner, I will use my experience, knowledge, and leadership to make the department an effective and proactive agency with sufficient manpower and funding so we can better protect and advocate for our consumers, our resources, and the hardworking citizens of our state’s diverse agricultural and forestry industry.”
Greer is a medical marijuana and industrial hemp advocate – both of which are legal in Louisiana. Greer states that as Commissioner, he would remove bureaucratic roadblocks that have slowed the production of medical marijuana in the state.
“In 2015, legislation was passed allowing experts at LSU and Southern University to grow and produce medical-grade marijuana,” Greer stated. “But for more than three years, the current commissioner has created roadblocks. When elected, I will work diligently to remove the bureaucracy surrounding the process to produce this vitally important plant-based medicine that patients in Louisiana are legally entitled to.”
Greer grew up farming in Pine Prairie, and graduated from Pine Prairie High School. He then went on to attend LSU’s Law Enforcement Institute. He served as chief deputy and chief criminal investigator for the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office, wildlife agent, and president of the Louisiana Wildlife Agent Association.
Greer retired from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry in 2013, after serving for 20 years as program director/forestry enforcement chief.
“There are so many aspects of your daily life that go through the hands of the Department of Agriculture & Forestry, from products you buy at the grocery store to the gas you put in your car,” Greer said. “My number one goal is making sure we’re doing our jobs right, and the taxpayers are getting what they pay for.
