Louisiana cannabis law

According to the Louisiana Therapeutic Marijuana Act, the purchase limit for medical marijuana patients is a 30-day supply of non-smokable preparations of marijuana or a 14-day supply of 2.5 ounces of raw or crude marijuana. For pediatric patients, the caregiver can purchase this quantity as long as they hold the physician’s recommendation.

Louisiana patients with medical marijuana recommendations don’t have to carry it with them except they are in possession of the approved limits of marijuana. The possession limit is the same as the purchase limit for patients in Louisiana.

Patients are not allowed to sell or distribute the medical cannabis that they received for treatment. This is a felony punishable with between 5 and 30 years in jail, and a fine of up to $50,000.

Patients and caregivers should stay up to date with the purchase and possession limits in Louisiana. It’s essential to hold your medical marijuana recommendation to avoid noncompliance with the law.

Home cultivation of medical marijuana for medical and recreational purposes is strictly prohibited in Louisiana. Louisiana medical marijuana laws prohibit patients and their caregivers from cultivating their own marijuana.

The only legal way for patients to access medical cannabis is by purchasing it from state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries. Dispensaries too are currently not allowed to cultivate and can only obtain cannabis from state-regulated sources. Any form of marijuana cultivation outside of the state-regulated system is considered illegal.

Louisiana only issues two medical marijuana grower licenses per year. The license allows the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes. Those who hold the cultivation licenses are responsible for growing cannabis plants and meeting the quality standards set by the state.

The two license holders for cultivation in Louisiana are:

• Louisiana State University
• Southern University

Although the two public universities hold exclusive rights over medical marijuana cultivation, the Louisiana legislature has approved a bill that will privatize cultivation. Senate Bill 228 will transfer the cultivation rights to private farms and require them to renew their licenses every year.

The only authorized persons that can purchase, possess, and administer the legal amount of cannabis in Louisiana are the medical marijuana patient and the authorized caregiver of the patient. The Louisiana medical marijuana program does not allow qualifying patients to select caregivers. There is no established process for appointing caregivers in the state. Only minor patients under 18 can have their parents and legal guardians serve as their caregivers.

The patients or guardians of minors who serve as caregivers must go with them when consulting licensed physicians for medical cannabis recommendations. The caregivers will also be allowed to purchase medical marijuana on behalf of the patient. Caregivers can hold the medical marijuana recommendation or go without a card, since every dispensary has access to the database of patient information.

Pharmacies can also allow patients to select a person to pick up their medical cannabis on their behalf. For more information about this process, please reach out to your designated pharmacy. This is suitable for patients that are disabled or housebound.

The patient or legal guardian who serves as a caregiver needs to provide consent for minors under 18 before they can qualify for a medical marijuana certification. For minors with autism spectrum disorder, the recommendation can only be issued after consulting with the patient’s doctor.

Caregivers don’t have to register in Louisiana, as long as there is proof of being a parent or guardian to the patient.

The main tasks of the medical marijuana caregiver in Louisiana are:

• To take care of the patient and administer cannabis in the legal proportion.
• To purchase and transport cannabis from the dispensary on behalf of the patient.
• To possess cannabis in public as long as they hold the medical marijuana recommendation.
• To maintain confidentiality of the patient’s information except when allowed by the patient. 

Caregivers should remain up to date with the relevant medical marijuana laws in Louisiana, as this can ensure that they are compliant.

Veterans who are facing physical or mental health issues that meet the qualifying conditions can consider medical marijuana treatment in Louisiana. Louisiana does not restrict veterans that need medical cannabis as a form of treatment.

• Like any other qualifying patient, Louisiana allows veterans to apply for a medical marijuana card. They follow the same laws on purchase, possession and responsible use of medical cannabis.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs classifies marijuana as a Schedule One Controlled Substance, making it illegal under the federal government.
• VA healthcare providers are not allowed to recommend or help veterans in getting medical cannabis treatment. Also, veterans are not allowed to bring marijuana into a VA facility. But, veterans who consume medical marijuana are not blocked from receiving VA benefits.
• In Louisiana, under the Gun Control Act of 1968, it is illegal for users of medical cannabis to own, possess, buy or use firearms. For violating this Act, patients can receive a fine of up to ten years in prison.

At Dr. Weedy, our focus is to provide veterans with all-round support so they can receive medical marijuana treatment. We are proud to provide exclusive discounts to veterans who require treatment under the Louisiana medical marijuana program, offering access to quality and affordable care. Learn more about the veteran discount program here.

A medical marijuana reciprocity program occurs when a state allows patients from other states to buy medical cannabis using their medical card. It ensures that out-of-state patients can get access to medical cannabis. According to the House Bill 135 provisions, Louisiana allows visiting cannabis patients of specific states to buy medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries. Out-of-state patients can purchase medical cannabis as long as they hold the medical marijuana card or its equivalent from any other state in the United States.

Visiting patients must also fill a form, certifying that they have been diagnosed with one or more approved medical conditions by a licensed physician. The form includes the patient’s name, address, phone number and a signed statement saying that the marijuana will not be diverted to another person. 

The out-of-state patient must submit a couple of their marijuana registry card, driver’s license or any other government-issued photo ID document, and the completed form. Pharmacies always check the visiting patient’s medical records before dispensing the cannabis. 

The approved states include:

• Washington DC
• Arkansas 
• Arizona
• Michigan
• New Hampshire
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Hawaii
• Oklahoma 
• New Mexico
• West Virginia

When applying for a medical marijuana card in Louisiana, one of the concerns that patients have is whether they can receive treatment for PTSD or chronic pain. Among the qualifying medical conditions approved by Louisiana, PTSD and chronic pain are included for patients that want to receive an MMJ card. 

• PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is among the qualifying medical conditions for patients under the Louisiana Medical Marijiana Program. It is a medical disorder that happens in patients who are unable to recover from a traumatic event that they have witnessed or experienced. Patients with symptoms of PTSD consider medical marijuana as a treatment option. Consult a Louisiana physician with a marijuana registration permit to know if you are eligible for this treatment.
• Chronic Pain: Under the Louisiana medical marijuana program, patients with chronic pain related to fibromyalgia and sickle cell disease, and intractable pain qualify for treatment. If standard medical care does not alleviate the pain, then medical marijuana treatment might be recommended. Patients can consider discussing with a licensed physician to check their eligibility.

According to the House Resolution No. 269 by the Louisiana Department of Health, employees are forbidden from discriminating against patients that use medical marijuana, simply based on the reason that they do so.

Louisiana employers cannot refuse employment to those that use medical cannabis. In the case of a drug test, employees with medical marijuana recommendations are exempted. But, it’s essential to note that marijuana is still illegal based on federal law, so state law does not protect federal employees.