01-03-2022 09:00:15 - Updated: 1 March, 2022
Although Louisiana does not have laws as harsh with cannabis as other southern states of the USA, it must be said that they are still not very permissive with this plant. Currently, patients with a series of pathologies can get the recommendation of a doctor to be able to buy cannabis products legally, but still in a very controlled way.
👾 So is medical marijuana legal in Louisiana?
Yes, but marijuana is not sold as such, since doctors can only prescribe cannabis in a processed form, as established by SB 271. This law allows the sale of extracts, gummies, capsules, transdermal patches, suppositories, pills, inhalers, oils, sprays, tinctures, lotions, ointments, and other products derived from cannabis.
The law regarding medical cannabis in the state of Louisiana has changed over the last few years, even recently expanded. This state “allows” doctors to prescribe marijuana for therapeutic use since 1978, which was later expanded in 1991, but it was not officially regulated until 2016 because these doctors were exposed to breaking other federal laws.
🎯 Since when can you legally buy marijuana in Louisiana?
Officially, sales of cannabis products with a medical prescription began on August 6, 2.019. Later, in the year 2020, legislators expanded the laws due to the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic to give greater protection to hospitals, banks and doctors, and expanded the list of diseases and pathologies that qualify in this state to be treated with marijuana.
🧐 How to get the medical cannabis card in Louisiana
This state does not give out cannabis patient cards like other US states do, here you have to get a doctor’s recommendation, which will determine the amount that the patient needs based on their health, and they will send the order directly to the nearest establishment, like a prescription for any medicine.
Another curious point of the Louisiana cannabis laws is that doctors can prescribe medical cannabis for any condition they think can be treated with this plant, but they still maintain a list of qualifying conditions:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou’s disease Gehrig)
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Cáncer
- Chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia or sickle cell anemia
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV / AIDS
- Hospice or palliative care
- Huntington’s disease Intractable
- pain
- Lewy body dementia
- Motor neuron disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Disorder traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Seizure disorders
- Severe muscle spasms
- Spastic
- tetraplegia Spasticity
- Muscle atrophy in the spine
- Traumatic brain injury
- Concussion
- Crohn’s disease
🎬 Where to get medical marijuana in the state of Louisiana?
At the moment, there are only 9 pharmacies in the entire state that dispense cannabis products prescription. It is expected that in time the offer can be expanded with more establishments where you can buy medical cannabis with a prescription, but so far you have the following available:
- H&W Drug Store, 7240 Crowder blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127
- The Medicine Cabinet Pharmacy, 403 Bolton Ave, Alexandria, LA 71301
- The Apothecary Shoppe – Lafayette, 620 Guibeau Rd Ste A, Lafayette, LA 70506
- Capitol Wellness Soulutions, 7491 Picardy Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
- Medicis Pharmacy, 1727 Imperial Blvd Bldg 4, Lake Charles, LA 70605
- Delta Medmar, 111 McMillan Rd, West Monroe, LA 71291
- Green Leaf Dispensary, 6048 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70364
- Willow Pharmacy, 1519 Highway 22 W Ste 5, Madisonville, LA 70447
- Hope Pharmacy, 1410 Kings Hwy Ste A, Shreveport, LA 71301
⚠️ Is home growing marijuana for self-consumption allowed
No, this state has not yet passed any law that allows the home cultivation of marijuana plants, nor to the sick, and of course not to recreational users. At the moment the only way to get medical cannabis in Louisiana is through the 9 pharmacies that are licensed throughout the state.
✅ Conclusion
It is paradoxical to think that Louisiana was the first US state to “legalize” medical marijuana in 1978, and 43 years later, patients still have problems getting their medicine. We assume that it is a matter of time before this state joins the American legalizing current that we are witnessing today.
