Louisiana has some of the strictest laws in the country when it comes to medical marijuana possession and use. Cancer, muscle spasms, epilepsy, chronic pain/intractable pain, multiple sclerosis, wasting syndrome, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease, and spastic quadriplegia are among the conditions for which medical marijuana is available in the state.
Even patients who qualify for medical marijuana in Louisiana are only allowed to have 2.5 ounces of the drug on hand at any given time. Patients must also be diagnosed with a debilitating condition by a doctors, who must also approve the patient's use of medical marijuana and sign off on the patient's medical cannabis card application.
Even if you're a card-carrying Louisiana medical marijuana patient, Louisiana law stipulates that you cannot grow your own marijuana. You must purchase cannabis products from state-licensed dispensaries.
Louisiana Public Consumption Laws
Public consumption laws prohibit the use of cannabis products or infusions in public spaces. Consequently, qualified patients must consume their cannabis at home.
Louisiana Cannabis DUI Laws
It is illegal to drive during or after consuming cannabis products, even if you are medically authorized to consume them. First-time offenders may be given a $300 fine and a DUI charge. If you have more than 14 grams on your person, then the fine increases to $500. Additionally, you could receive a jail sentence with a duration of up to six months.
Landlords and other property owners have the right to prohibit the use of medical cannabis on their premises.
Louisiana Medical Marijuana Program
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.
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.
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.