Cannabis laws in Louisiana

Medical: Yes
Recreational: Decriminalized
Reciprocity: No

Medical marijuana officially became legal in Louisiana in 2016. Medical marijuana cannot be in raw or smokable form and must be sold as oils, extracts, tinctures, sprays, capsules, pills, solutions, suspension, gelatin-based chewables, transdermal patches, and suppositories.

In July 2020, a law to expand the state’s medical marijuana program went into effect, allowing physicians to approve cannabis for any condition that the physician “considers debilitating to an individual patient.”

As of August 1, 2021, the possession of up to 14 grams of cannabis is decriminalized and punishable of a fine of up to $100 or a court summons without the possibility of imprisonment.

How to Get a Medical Card in Louisiana

To receive medical marijuana in Louisiana, an applicant must first receive a physician’s recommendation that says that they have one of the qualifying conditions or a debilitating condition. With the recommendation, the applicant is able to join the state’s online registry and purchase medical marijuana.

Unlike many other states, Louisiana does not issue an actual medical marijuana card to patients.

Qualifying Conditions

In Louisiana, an applicant may receive medical marijuana if they (or the person they are providing caregiver services for) has one or more of the following conditions, or if a doctor determines it would help with a debilitating condition:

Cancer
Positive status for HIV, AIDS
Cachexia or wasting syndrome
Seizure disorders
Epilepsy
Spasticity
Crohn’s disease
Muscular dystrophy
Multiple sclerosis
Glaucoma
Parkinson’s disease
Severe muscle spasms
Intractable pain
Post-traumatic disorder
Some symptoms associated with an autism spectrum disorder.
Chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia
Neurodegenerative disease and conditions

Where to Buy

As of early 2020, nine licensed pharmacies had been appointed by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to sell medical cannabis products. Marijuana products first became available for sale in Louisiana in August 2019, but the program has been plagued by high prices and a limited selection for the time being.

Reciprocity

Louisiana does not recognize medical marijuana licenses from other states.

Taxes and Medical Marijuana in Louisiana

While prescription drugs are exempt from sales tax in Louisiana, medical marijuana patients have to pay the 5% sales tax on their purchases in the state’s dispensaries.