Cannabis in Louisiana

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Cannabis in Louisiana is legal only for medicinal use; recreational possession of 14 grams or less is decriminalized punishable by a fine of no more than $100. Medicinal use is allowed with a physician's written recommendation for any debilitating condition. Prior to statewide decriminalization, possession of small amounts of marijuana was first decriminalized in the cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport.[1]

Prohibition (1920s)[]

Sources give varying dates for the prohibition of cannabis in Louisiana, generally either 1924[2] or 1927.[3][4]

Despite this law, and newspaper accounts of contemporaneous cannabis use in New Orleans, in 1930 there were only 30 marijuana convictions in the entire state.[5]

Reduction of Criminal Penalties[]

On June 30, 2015, Governor Bobby Jindal signed SB 143, which significantly reduced penalties for possession of cannabis. Under the bill, first time possession is punishable by a $300 fine and 15 days in jail, a second offense by up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, a third offense by up a $2,500 fine and up to two years in jail, and fourth or subsequent offenses by up to a $5,000 fine and eight years in prison.[6]

Decriminalization[]

On June 15, 2021, Governor John Bel Edwards signed HB 652 which decriminalized small amounts of marijuana statewide. Under the bill, possession of less than 14 grams of cannabis is punishable by a $100 fine and no threat of jail time for the first and every subsequent offense. The reduced penalties took effect August 1, 2021. Possession of more than 14 grams and illegal distribution still carry harsh penalties.[7]

Medical cannabis (2015-present)[]

On June 30, 2015, Governor Bobby Jindal signed HB 149, which sets up a framework for dispensing marijuana for medical purposes.[8] On Tuesday, August 6, 2019, medical cannabis was dispensed in the state for the first time, supplied by cannabis grower GB Sciences.[9]

In August 2020, HB 819, signed by Governor John Bel Edwards, greatly expanded access to medical cannabis. HB 819 allows any licensed doctor in good standing with the state to recommend cannabis for any condition the doctor "considers debilitating to an individual patient and is qualified through his medical education and training to treat."[10]

On June 22, 2021, Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law HB 391 which lifts the prohibition on raw/crude and smokable cannabis products effective January 1, 2022. Possession of up to 2.5oz of cannabis flower will be legal for medicinal purposes.[11]

References[]

  1. ^ Center, Transformative Health. "Cannabis History in Louisiana". Transformative Health Center. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  2. ^ Steven R. Belenko (January 1, 2000). Drugs and Drug Policy in America: A Documentary History. Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-29902-5.
  3. ^ Stephen R. Kandall (1999). Substance and Shadow: Women and Addiction in the United States. Harvard University Press. pp. 110–. ISBN 978-0-674-85361-4.
  4. ^ C. W. M. Wilson (October 22, 2013). The Pharmacological and Epidemiological Aspects of Adolescent Drug Dependence: Proceedings of the Society for the Study of Addiction, London, 1 and 2 September 1966. Elsevier. pp. 360–. ISBN 978-1-4831-8616-0.
  5. ^ University of Southwestern Louisiana. Center for Louisiana Studies (2005). The Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Series in Louisiana History. Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Southwestern Louisiana. p. 37. ISBN 9781887366670.
  6. ^ "Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal Signs Marijuana Reform Bills". Thedailychronic.net. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  7. ^ Folley, Aris (June 7, 2021). "Louisiana lawmakers pass bill to decriminalize marijuana". TheHill. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  8. ^ "Bobby Jindal signs marijuana bills that reform criminal penalties, medical marijuana access". Nola.com. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  9. ^ "Louisiana launching medical marijuana after years of waiting". PBS NewsHour (in American English). August 6, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  10. ^ "It's official: Louisiana widening access to medical marijuana under new law". wwltv.com (in American English). Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  11. ^ "Marijuana legalization outlook: CT close on adult use; Louisiana OKs smokable flower". MJBizDaily (in American English). June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
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