Becoming a Patient in Louisiana

A patient that is clinically diagnosed with cancer, HIV, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, cachexia or wasting syndrome, seizure disorders, epilepsy, spasticity, Crohn’s disease, muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis may obtain medical cannabis pursuant to a recommendation of a Louisiana physician that is licensed and in good standing with the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners.  Inhaled or raw or crude cannabis is not permitted.  The levels of THC in any marijuana produced must be reduced to the lowest acceptable therapeutic levels available through scientifically accepted methods.  The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy shall develop rules and regulations relating to the dispensing of medical cannabis.

Age Limits

No restrictions on access for minors. 

Limitations and Protections Under the Law

SB 180 provides protection for patients and their caregivers (or parents, for any minor) for possession or distribution of medical cannabis to the extent permitted under law (as enacted by SB 271). 

Possession, Consumption, & Growing Limitations

Possession would be legal for eligible patients and their caregivers as described above.  Patients are allowed to medicate where they choose; inhalation is prohibited, as is raw or crude marijuana.

There is only one nontransferable specialty license for the production of medical cannabis.  The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and the Southern University Agricultural Center have a right of first refusal to be licensed as a production facility, either separately or jointly.  The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center announced its intention in September 2016 to move forward with plans to grow medical cannabis.  The Department of Agriculture and Forestry shall develop rules and regulations regarding the extraction, processing and production of recommended therapeutic marijuana and the facility producing therapeutic marijuana.

The levels of THC in any marijuana produced must be reduced to the lowest acceptable therapeutic levels available through scientifically accepted methods. 

Access to Medical Marijuana

Up to ten pharmacies may receive special licenses from the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to distribute medical cannabis to qualified patients.  The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy shall develop rules and regulations relating to the dispensing of medical cannabis.

Caregivers

Parents (of minors) and caregivers are afforded the same protection as patients under SB 180.

Housing, Employment, Child Custody, Organ Transplants, & Discrimination Protection

There are no housing, employment, child custody, organ transplant, and discrimination protections under the Louisiana law.

Reciprocity

No reciprocity approved by law.