Louisiana Medical Marijuana Laws: Complete Guide 2026
Louisiana established its medical marijuana program in 2015 through Senate Bill 143, making it one of the earliest Southern states to do so. The program has expanded significantly, with raw flower legalized in 2022. Louisiana's program is unique: NO state registration fee and NO physical card required.
Is Marijuana Legal in Louisiana?
Medical marijuana is legal; recreational is not:
- Medical Cannabis: Legal since 2015 (SB 143)
- First Dispensary Sales: August 2019
- Smokable Flower: Legal since January 1, 2022 (HB 391)
- Recreational Cannabis: ILLEGAL
- Home Cultivation: NOT PERMITTED
Key Legislation
| Law | Citation | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Therapeutic Marijuana Act | Senate Bill 143 (2015) | 2015 |
| Expanded Qualifying Conditions | Act 261 (2016) | 2016 |
| Physician Recommendation Authority | La. R.S. 40:1046 | Ongoing |
| Pharmacy Dispensing Regulations | La. R.S. 40:1049 | Ongoing |
| Raw Flower Authorization | HB 391 (Act 274) | January 1, 2022 |
| Expanded Access Act | SB 249 (2021) | 2021 |
Regulatory Agencies
Louisiana Department of Health (LDH)
- Physician registration and oversight
- Qualifying conditions
- Website: ldh.la.gov/page/medical-marijuana
- Phone: (225) 342-9500
Louisiana Board of Pharmacy (LBP)
- Dispensary (pharmacy) licensing and regulation
- Patient verification system
- Website: pharmacy.la.gov
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF)
- Cultivation licensing
- Only LSU and Southern University are licensed to cultivate
- Website: ldaf.state.la.us
NO Card Required System
Louisiana is unique - patients do NOT need a physical card or state registration:
- Physician provides a recommendation directly into the state database
- Patient receives confirmation (can print or show on phone)
- Dispensary (pharmacy) verifies recommendation electronically
- $0 state registration fee
- Recommendation valid for 1 year
Qualifying Medical Conditions
Under La. R.S. 40:1046, Louisiana has one of the broadest qualifying condition lists:
- Cancer
- Positive status for HIV/AIDS
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Muscular dystrophy
- Spastic quadriplegia
- Seizure disorders (including epilepsy)
- Crohn's disease
- Glaucoma
- Severe muscle spasms
- Intractable pain
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Parkinson's disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Traumatic brain injury
- Multiple sclerosis
- Alzheimer's disease
- Huntington's disease
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Sickle cell disease
- Any condition the physician believes may benefit from medical marijuana (physician discretion)
Note: Since 2021 (SB 249), physicians may recommend medical marijuana for any condition they believe may benefit from treatment.
Product Forms Available
Louisiana allows the following product forms:
| Product Type | Legal Status |
|---|---|
| Raw Flower (Smokable) | âś“ Legal since January 2022 |
| Oils and tinctures | âś“ Legal |
| Capsules and pills | âś“ Legal |
| Topical applications | âś“ Legal |
| Metered-dose inhalers | âś“ Legal |
| Transdermal patches | âś“ Legal |
| Suppositories | âś“ Legal |
| Edibles (chewables) | âś“ Legal |
| Pre-rolled joints | âś“ Legal since 2022 |
Possession Limits
Medical marijuana patients may possess:
| Duration | Limit |
|---|---|
| 30-day supply | 2.5 ounces of raw marijuana |
| Products | Equivalent of 2.5 oz in any form |
Note: Physicians may recommend higher amounts for patients with specific medical needs.
Dispensary System
Louisiana uses a limited pharmacy-based dispensing model:
- 9 licensed therapeutic marijuana pharmacies statewide
- Must be operated by a licensed Louisiana pharmacist
- Pharmacies can have multiple locations
- All products tested by state-approved laboratories
Cultivation
Home cultivation is NOT permitted in Louisiana.
Only two entities are licensed to cultivate medical marijuana:
- Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (contracts with GB Sciences)
- Southern University Agricultural Center (contracts with Ilera Holistic Healthcare)
Taxation
Medical Marijuana:
- NO special cannabis tax (only standard sales tax)
- Standard state sales tax: 4.45%
- Local sales taxes apply (varies by parish)
- Total tax rate: Approximately 8-10% depending on location
Penalties for Violations
Without a Medical Recommendation:
Under La. R.S. 40:966:
| Offense | Classification | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Possession ≤ 14 grams (1st offense) | Violation | Up to $100 fine (no jail) |
| Possession ≤ 14 grams (2nd offense) | Violation | Up to $250 fine (no jail) |
| Possession ≤ 14 grams (3rd+ offense) | Misdemeanor | Up to $500 fine, up to 15 days jail |
| Possession > 14 grams - 2.5 lbs | Misdemeanor | Up to $500 fine, up to 6 months jail |
| Possession 2.5 - 60 lbs | Felony | 5-30 years, up to $50,000 fine |
| Possession > 60 lbs | Felony | 10-40 years, up to $100,000 fine |
Distribution Penalties:
| Amount | Penalty |
|---|---|
| < 2.5 lbs | Up to 5 years, $5,000 fine |
| 2.5 - 60 lbs | 5-30 years, $50,000 fine |
| > 60 lbs | 10-40 years, $100,000 fine |
| To minor | 5-30 years, double fines |
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of cannabis is prohibited under La. R.S. 14:98, regardless of medical patient status.
DUI Penalties:
- 1st offense: Up to $1,000 fine, 10 days to 6 months jail, license suspension
- 2nd offense: Up to $1,000 fine, 30 days to 6 months jail (48 hours mandatory)
- 3rd offense: $2,000 fine, 1-5 years prison (30 days mandatory)
- 4th+ offense: Felony, 10-30 years prison
Medical patients are NOT exempt from DUI laws.
Employment Rights
Louisiana does NOT have explicit employment protections for medical marijuana patients.
- Employers may maintain drug-free workplace policies
- Employers may refuse to hire or terminate based on positive drug test
- Employers may prohibit cannabis use on company property
- No protection against adverse employment actions due to off-duty use
Out-of-State Patients
Louisiana does NOT recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards or recommendations. Visitors cannot legally purchase medical marijuana in Louisiana.
Telehealth Evaluations
Louisiana permits telehealth evaluations for medical marijuana recommendations:
- Initial evaluation via telehealth allowed
- Follow-up evaluations via telehealth allowed
- Must use Louisiana-licensed physician registered with LDH
- Patient must be physically located in Louisiana
Recent Legislative Developments
HB 391 (Act 274) - January 2022: Legalized raw, smokable marijuana flower for medical patients, expanding from oils and non-smokable forms only.
SB 249 (2021): Expanded physician authority to recommend medical marijuana for ANY condition the physician believes may benefit from treatment.
Key Resources
- Louisiana Department of Health Medical Marijuana: ldh.la.gov/page/medical-marijuana
- Louisiana Board of Pharmacy: pharmacy.la.gov
- Louisiana Legislature: legis.la.gov
- Find a Pharmacy: LBP Therapeutic Marijuana Pharmacies
- Qualifying Physicians: Available through LDH
Timeline of Medical Marijuana in Louisiana
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1978 | Louisiana first legalized medical marijuana (never implemented) |
| 2015 | SB 143 creates modern therapeutic marijuana program |
| 2016 | Act 261 expands qualifying conditions |
| August 2019 | First dispensary sales begin |
| 2021 | SB 249 allows any condition with physician approval |
| January 1, 2022 | Raw smokable flower becomes legal |
| 2023-2025 | Program continues expansion with additional pharmacies |
This information reflects Louisiana cannabis laws as of December 2025. Always consult official state sources and legal counsel for the most current requirements.