How to Get A Medical Marijuana Card in Louisiana Step by Step

Since the state legalized medical marijuana in 1978, Louisiana's Medical Marijuana Program (MMP)—which oversees the licensing and production of medical marijuana—has been updated many times. Throughout that period, the state’s laws regulating medical cannabis have loosened significantly.

Despite these improvements, though, Louisiana’s medical marijuana laws remain relatively strict. Applying for and getting your Louisiana medical marijuana card can present some challenges, but the Sanctuary is here to help you navigate the process.

Ready To Schedule Your Medical Marijuana Card Appointment? Start Here

Step 1: Identify Your Qualifying Condition

Patients wanting to apply for a medical marijuana card in Louisiana must first have a qualifying medical condition and obtain a doctor’s recommendation. Since the program's inception, its list of qualifying conditions has been expanded so that patients now qualify if their condition is deemed "debilitating" by a medical marijuana doctor.

Louisiana's debilitating medical conditions are as follows:

Cancer
Any of the following conditions associated with autism spectrum disorder: repetitive or self-stimulatory behavior of such severity that the physical health of the person with autism is jeopardized, avoidance of others or inability to communicate of such severity that the physical health of the person with autism is jeopardized, self-injuring behavior, or physically aggressive or destructive behavior
Glaucoma
Any of the following neurodegenerative diseases and conditions: Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s disease, Lewy body dementia, motor neuron disease, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal muscular atrophy
Intractable pain
Any condition not otherwise specified in this Subparagraph that a physician, in their medical opinion, considers debilitating to an individual patient and is qualified through their medical education and training to treat
Crohn’s disease

Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Cachexia or wasting syndrome
Seizure disorders
Epilepsy
Spasticity
Severe muscle spasms
Muscular dystrophy
Multiple sclerosis
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Traumatic brain injury
A concussion diagnosed by a physician
Chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia
Chronic pain associated with sickle cell disease
Any condition for which a patient is receiving hospice care or palliative care

Step 2: Meet with A Licensed Physician

Once you identify your debilitating medical condition, schedule an appointment with a physician who’s licensed by and in good standing with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners to practice medicine in Louisiana. Be certain that you establish a bona fide doctor-patient relationship with them.

There are several ways to locate a medical marijuana doctor, but perhaps the easiest of these is to enlist the help of the Sanctuary. We can assist you in finding a doctor who can certify your condition in no time.

At your scheduled appointment, remember to ask any questions you have about medical marijuana. For example, you might want to ask about the different strains of cannabis and how they might help your condition. Or you might want to discuss any other medical conditions you may have and how they might be improved with cannabis treatment.

Step 3: Physician Files Recommendation With Chosen Pharmacy

Once your physician has written your recommendation, they will submit the letter on your behalf to the pharmacy of your choosing, thereby confirming your registration status with your chosen facility.

You will have to provide proof of residency and other forms of identification to complete the state’s application process. Acceptable forms of ID include a state-issued driver's license, a state ID card, and a U.S. passport.

Step 4: Go to A Dispensary to Purchase Your Medical Marijuana

Louisiana doesn't have a medical marijuana "card" system. Instead, it maintains a digital registry of certified patients who are searchable at any of the state's dispensaries. You will not receive a physical card and you will not have to register with the state. If needed, you may request a copy of your recommendation letter, which is valid for a year.

There are several licensed marijuana dispensaries located throughout Louisiana for Louisiana residents in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette, and elsewhere. At them, you’ll be able to purchase cannabis products such as tinctures, edibles, inhalers, topicals, smokable marijuana, and CBD oil with your medical cannabis card.

As a medical marijuana patient, you will only be legally allowed to obtain up to a 30-day supply of marijuana products from Louisiana dispensaries. If you’re a minor, your parent or legal guardian will have to purchase the products for you.

To obtain the most up-to-date list of dispensaries in the state of Louisiana, contact the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.

Need Help Obtaining A Louisiana Medical Marijuana Card?

Applying for and obtaining a medical marijuana recommendation in Louisiana can be a bit daunting. Fortunately, the Sanctuary is here to help.

Our knowledgeable staff will connect you with the physician best suited for you and guide you through each step of the MMJ card application process. Contact us today to get started.