{"id":654,"date":"2020-05-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-18T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.medicalmarijuanainc.com\/?p=3439"},"modified":"2020-05-18T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-05-18T00:00:00","slug":"louisiana-marijuana-laws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medicalmarijuanainc.com\/2020\/05\/18\/louisiana-marijuana-laws\/","title":{"rendered":"Louisiana Marijuana Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated May 2020
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While marijuana has still not yet been decriminalized or legalized in Louisiana, recent medical marijuana legislative developments show that the state government is making efforts to make life easier for patients seeking medicinal cannabis. Below, you\u2019ll discover the answer to \u201cIs marijuana legal in Louisiana?\u201d and learn what is and isn\u2019t allowed under Louisiana legislation.<\/p>\n

Recreational Marijuana in Louisiana<\/h2>\n

Is marijuana legal in Louisiana? When it comes to recreational use, no.<\/p>\n

Violating Louisiana marijuana laws will result in a mandatory minimum sentence (the absolutely minimum amount of jail time an individual will face). No matter the circumstances, judges cannot sentence someone to anything below a predetermined mandatory minimum sentence. For example, if you are caught with between 2.5 and 60 pounds of marijuana, the mandatory minimum sentence is two years in jail. That said, there are some efforts to decriminalize possession on the local level.<\/p>\n

Penalties for Marijuana in Louisiana<\/h2>\n

While recreational marijuana remains illegal in Louisiana, in June 2015 Gov. Bobby Jindal signed into law Senate Bill 143 to reduce penalties for possession of marijuana.<\/p>\n

According to the law, a first-time offender possessing 14 grams or less of marijuana is punishable by 15 days in prison and $300 in fines. The first time offense of carrying more than 14 grams but less than 2.5 pounds is punishable by six months in jail and a payment of $500 in fine. Possession of more than 2.5 pounds of marijuana is punishable by a minimum mandatory sentence starting from two years and going up to 25 years. Possession of more than 60 pounds also requires offenders to pay heavy fines ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000.<\/p>\n

Sale of any amount of recreational marijuana, whether as a first offense or subsequent offense, is punishable by a minimum mandatory sentence of at least five years. The distribution of marijuana also leads to life prison terms for up to 90 years and heavy fines ranging from $50,000 to $200,000.<\/p>\n

Local Decriminalization of Marijuana<\/h2>\n

Marijuana possession in the city of New Orleans was decriminalized on March 23, 2016 after Mayor Mitch Landrieu signed into law Ordinance 31,148. The law allows law enforcement to issue a ticket rather than arresting for marijuana possession and reduces penalties from jail time to a civil fine of $40 to $100.<\/p>\n

There are also a number of additional local decriminalization efforts, with local jurisdictions putting into effect resolutions and laws that work to either partially or fully decriminalize minor possession of marijuana and cannabis. Check with local law and government officials to learn more about local decriminalization efforts.<\/p>\n

Is Hash Legal in Louisiana?<\/h2>\n

Hash<\/a> is a very concentrated form of cannabis that is made from the resin in a cannabis plant. Hash contains high levels of THC, and is illegal in Louisiana. Hash is classified as a controlled substance and carries all of the same fines and penalties as marijuana possession and use.<\/p>\n

Is Cannabis Concentrate Legal in Louisiana?<\/h2>\n

Cannabis concentrate is a highly potent cannabis plant product in which all of the unneeded parts of the plant are filtered out (removing excess plant materials, as well as other impurities found in the plant). As a result, users get a product that has a greater proportion of helpful cannabinoids when compared to normal cannabis. Marijuana concentrates are illegal, with penalties and fines mirroring the punishments for marijuana possession and use.<\/p>\n

Driver\u2019s License Privileges Taken Away as Punishment<\/h2>\n

Here is one unique aspect of Louisiana\u2019s marijuana laws: If any individual over the age of 18 possesses or uses a controlled substance such as marijuana, the state will take away their driver\u2019s license and ability to legally drive for a minimum of 30 days. Depending on the severity of the violation, the court may take away your driver\u2019s license privileges for up to one year.<\/p>\n

Medical Marijuana in Louisiana<\/h2>\n

The Louisiana State Legislature signed SB 143 into law in June 2015 to lay the framework for medicinal marijuana access, but regulatory hurdles have caused the program’s launch to be delayed. To try to kick-start the program, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill in May 2016 that expands the program to include more conditions and allows doctors to “recommend” rather than “prescribe” marijuana to patients.<\/p>\n

Medical marijuana in Louisiana became available to patients starting in August 2019<\/a>. Agricultural centers at Louisiana State University and Southern University have been selected to grow cannabis for the state, overseen by the state agriculture department. Nine dispensaries have been selected throughout the state.<\/p>\n

Medical marijuana will be allowed in the form of medicinal oils, pills, liquids, and topical applications. In June 2019, Louisiana lawmakers passed a bill allowing for the sale and use of cannabis inhalers.<\/p>\n

When Can a Doctor Recommend Medical Marijuana in Louisiana?<\/h2>\n

Despite launch delays, lawmakers have continued to make efforts to improve the program. In June 2018, Gov. Edwards signed into law two measures that expand the state’s medical marijuana program. House Bill 579 added glaucoma, severe muscle spasms, intractable pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Parkinson’s disease as qualifying conditions. House Bill 672 allows for medical marijuana to be used in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder.<\/p>\n

A full list of the conditions that are approved for medical marijuana under Louisiana law is as follows:<\/p>\n