Louisiana Medical Marijuana Caregiver Requirements 2026
Louisiana's medical marijuana program, overseen by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), operates differently than most states—using licensed pharmacies rather than dispensaries. Caregivers help patients obtain their medicine from these therapeutic marijuana pharmacies.
Quick Facts: Louisiana Caregiver Program
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | FREE ($0) |
| Card Validity | 1 year |
| Max Patients | 2 |
| Processing Time | 7-14 days |
| Home Cultivation | Not permitted |
| Minimum Age | 21 years old |
| Residency | Louisiana resident required |
Louisiana's Unique Pharmacy System
Louisiana's program differs from other states:
- Pharmacy-Based: Cannabis is dispensed through licensed pharmacies, not dispensaries
- Prescription System: Physicians fax recommendations to patient's chosen pharmacy
- No Separate Card: Caregivers don't receive a physical card—they're designated in the prescription
- Free Registration: No fees for caregiver designation
Who Can Become a Medical Marijuana Caregiver in Louisiana?
Age & Residency:
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Must be a Louisiana resident
- Must possess valid Louisiana identification
Background Check Requirements:
- State criminal background check may be required
- Disqualifying offenses include:
- Drug-related felonies
- Violent crimes
- 10-year lookback for most offenses
- No fingerprinting required
Additional Requirements:
- Must be designated by patient's recommending physician
- Cannot be a registered patient yourself in most cases
How Louisiana's Caregiver System Works
Step 1: Patient Recommendation A patient receives a recommendation from a qualified Louisiana physician.
Step 2: Caregiver Designation The physician includes caregiver information in the recommendation that's faxed to the pharmacy.
Step 3: Pharmacy Registration The designated pharmacy processes both patient and caregiver information.
Step 4: Obtain Medicine The caregiver can pick up the patient's medicine from the pharmacy with valid ID.
Required for Louisiana Caregiver Designation
- Valid Louisiana driver's license or state-issued ID
- Proof of Louisiana residency
- Patient's physician recommendation with caregiver designation
- No payment required
Louisiana Caregiver Rights and Responsibilities
What Caregivers CAN Do:
- Pick up medical marijuana from licensed pharmacies
- Possess up to a 30-day supply for each patient
- Transport medicine between pharmacy and patient
- Assist with administration of medicine
- Serve up to 2 patients
What Caregivers CANNOT Do:
- Grow cannabis plants (not permitted in Louisiana)
- Obtain medicine without physician designation
- Transfer medicine to non-designated individuals
- Purchase from non-licensed sources
Possession Limits for Louisiana Caregivers
- Supply Limit: 30-day supply as determined by physician
- Maximum Patients: 2
- Product Forms: All forms available from licensed pharmacies
- Tracking: All recommendations tracked through state system
Costs and Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Caregiver Designation | FREE |
| Annual Renewal | FREE |
Louisiana charges no fees for caregiver designation—it's included in the patient's recommendation process.
Available Products in Louisiana
Louisiana pharmacies offer various product forms:
- Raw/smokable flower (as of recent law changes)
- Oils and tinctures
- Topicals
- Metered-dose inhalers
- Edibles
- Transdermal patches
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Louisiana's caregiver system work? Louisiana uses a pharmacy-based system. The patient's physician includes caregiver information in the recommendation faxed to the pharmacy. Caregivers then pick up medicine on the patient's behalf.
Is there a caregiver fee in Louisiana? No. Louisiana does not charge a separate registration fee for caregivers.
Can Louisiana caregivers grow marijuana? No. Home cultivation is not permitted in Louisiana. All cannabis must be obtained from licensed therapeutic marijuana pharmacies.
How many patients can a Louisiana caregiver serve? Louisiana allows caregivers to assist up to 2 patients simultaneously.
Do Louisiana caregivers get a card? No. Louisiana doesn't issue separate caregiver cards. Caregiver status is recorded in the pharmacy system when designated by the physician.
Where do caregivers get medical marijuana in Louisiana? From licensed therapeutic marijuana pharmacies—not traditional dispensaries.
Official Resources
- Louisiana Department of Health - Medical Marijuana
- Therapeutic Marijuana Program
- Find Licensed Pharmacies
- Louisiana Board of Pharmacy
Get Your Louisiana Medical Marijuana Card
MMJ.com connects Louisiana patients with qualified physicians for convenient evaluations. Get your recommendation and designate a caregiver to help with your medical cannabis needs.