Bienvenue en Louisiane! Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!!! Welcome to Louisiana! Let The Good Times Roll!!
Are you a medical or recreational cannabis user who is traveling to or through the state of Louisiana? If so, this brief guide to cannabis consumption, by Belle Terre Law Firm, is for you.
Medical Cannabis in Louisiana
Currently, Louisiana only permits consumption of marijuana for medical patients only. The state now allows reciprocity to out-of-state medical marijuana users. That means, if you have a valid medical card from California (or another state that has legalized medical marijuana), you will be allowed to use your card to purchase cannabis in Louisiana's medical marijuana pharmacies. Also, your out-of-state medical marijuana card can be used as a defense in court if you are found in possession of marijuana.
Louisiana only has nine (9) approved pharmacies, throughout the entire state, that are permitted to sell medical cannabis.
*Inhalation (including smoking) of dried medical cannabis flower has been legalized for registered patients.
Recreational Cannabis Consumption
Louisiana does NOT have an adult-consumption/recreational market for cannabis that contains more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC (marijuana).
Louisiana DOES have a rapidly budding (pun intended) Industrial Hemp Derived CBD, Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, and other cannabinoids adult consumption industry. The technical term is "Consumable Hemp" and all consumers must be 21 years of age or older. The following consumable hemp products are legal in Louisiana, and available for retail sale:
Dried flower is available for retail sales (except for inhalation);
Tinctures;
Oils;
Salves;
Isolate powders;
Topicals;
Consumables.
An approved list of retailers of Industrial Hemp Derived CBD/Delta-8 THC/Other Cannabinoids can be found by clicking here.
How to Spot a Legal Cannabis Vendor at Events:
Louisiana requires all Consumable Hemp Retailers to have either a: processor permit; wholesaler permit; or CBD retail permit. When purchasing consumable hemp products from a permitted business' physical place of business, that business must display their permit in public view. When you are attending events, fairs, and festivals, the consumable hemp vendor MUST have a "Special Event Permit" from the Louisiana Alcohol, Tobacco, and Control Board.
Criminal Penalties
Smoking, Vaping, and Inhalation of Marijuana in Vehicles
Louisiana has legalized the inhalation (smoking and vaping) of marijuana for registered medical patients only. While the new laws allow for inhalation, it is illegal to inhale (smoke and vape) marijuana in a vehicle. So, no party bus "smoke rides" guys!
Simple Possession of Marijuana in New Orleans
The City Council of New Orleans passed a municipal law stating that simple possession of marijuana warrants an automatic pardon. Even if cited by a police officer in New Orleans, the summons is essentially null and void. No arrest record is created.
Although it is important to note that any police stop and search for simple possession of marijuana and its subsequent pardon does not keep an officer from taking all customary incidental investigatory actions that would otherwise be available to an officer with a reasonable suspicion or probable cause to believe that a crime of marijuana possession has occurred or from charging an individual with any other crime for which probable cause exists.
Travelers to Louisiana must always keep in mind that Louisiana is not a recreational cannabis consumption state! Despite the budding CBD/Delta-THC/Other Cannabinoids market, consumption of cannabis containing more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC is still illegal.
Statewide Simple Possession of Marijuana Laws
Louisiana passed House Bill 652, which amended state law, so that offenses involving the possession of up to 14 grams of cannabis containing more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC are punishable by a fine of no more than $100 – no arrest and no jail time. The fine-penalty remains in place regardless of whether the offender has any prior marijuana convictions.
*It is still important to note that offenses involving the possession of up to 14 grams of cannabis containing more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC can still warrant an arrest or jail time, if the cannabis is packaged in a way for distribution or manufacturing.
Relax while enjoying your LEGAL cannabis consumption in Louisiana. Have fun and "Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!!"
Download "Tourist's and Traveler's Guide to Medical and Recreational Cannabis in Louisiana" guide by clicking the button below.
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