Louisiana
Louisiana Cannabis Business Licenses
WHAT IS LOUISIANA'S CURRENT CANNABIS MARKET STATUS?
Content Below Last Updated by Point7 04/06/2022
In 2021, the Louisiana legislature passed a limited decriminalization bill, making progress towards legalization. Louisiana also expanded their medical cannabis program in 2021, finally allowing medical patients to consume cannabis in flower form. In addition, the New Orleans City Council pardoned past and future cannabis violations in its municipal ordinance and have stopped issuing citations for possessions entirely.As Louisiana begins its 2022 legislative session in March 2022, there is an opportunity for more cannabis reforms to be introduced and passed. In 2021, multiple adult-use bills were introduced but fell short. These bills included House Bill 699, House Bill 709, and House Bill 434, which all would set up adult-use programs. Unfortunately these specific bills can not be reintroduced into legislation until 2023. In the meantime, there are hopes for a new bill to be introduced this year for adult-use regulation.
WHAT ARE LOUISIANA'S CANNABIS LAWS?
Cannabis is legal only for medical use in Louisiana. Possession of recreational cannabis 14 grams or less is decriminalized and punishable by no more than $100 and no threat of jail time. Possession of more than 14 grams and illegal distribution still carry harsh penalties. Effective January 1, 2022 the prohibition of raw/crude and smokable cannabis products was lifted and possession of up to 2.5 ounces of medical cannabis flower became legal.WHAT IS LOUISIANA'S CANNABIS LICENSING TIMELINE & CANNABIS APPLICATION PROCESS?
The legislature has only authorized Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and Southern University Agricultural Center to be licensed to grow medical marijuana. The Board of Pharmacy is currently not taking any applications for medical dispensing locations.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF CANNABIS IN LOUISIANA?
Cannabis is legal for medical use in Louisiana and has been since 1991 earlier than most states. However, cannabis is still illegal for recreational use, however possession of cannabis was decriminalized in 2015 to a small fine with no jail sentence.Medical cannabis was legalized for distribution in 2015 under House Bill 149, setting up the framework to allow select pharmacists to dispense cannabis to qualifying patients. On Tuesday August 6, 2019 medical cannabis was dispensed in the state for the first time, supplied by cannabis grower GB Sciences.
DOES LOUISIANA HAVE A HEMP PROGRAM?
PREPARING FOR THE LOUISIANA CANNABIS MARKET
We are ready to support your team as you prepare for cannabis licensure in Louisiana. Contact Point7 to discuss the fully customizable products and service packages available that have proved successful for operators around the country.