Learn more
about medical marijuana
in Louisiana

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This is How You Will Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Louisiana

STEP 1

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Schedule an appointment to see a medical marijuana doctor in LA through Veriheal at a time that is most convenient for you. Provide basic medical history and book your appointment with a licensed medical marijuana doctor. You will need medical records and the doctor(s) can approve any qualifying condition.

STEP 2

TALK TO A DOCTOR

Consult with a doctor for 15 mins to evaluate your ailments, and ask any questions you may have about medical marijuana treatment. After the appointment is complete, the doctor will fill out a recommendation form for medical marijuana and approve you. Once you have this you can then use that to apply to the state.

STEP 3

GET APPROVED

Once you are approved, you'll register with the state and submit an application. The state will process your application and notify you of your approval and mail your card. Once you have your card in hand, you can begin purchasing from dispensaries.

The Status of Cannabis Legalization in Louisiana

All forms of cannabis are considered illegal in Louisiana. Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2016 signed Senate Bill 271, a bill that at the time made Louisiana the first state in the Southeastern U.S. to create a comprehensive medical cannabis program, but the state has delayed implementation several times due to legislative changes, supply availability, and a lack of testing laboratories. The new law replaced language in the medical marijuana law that stated that physicians must “prescribe” medical marijuana to patients, which was impossible because it is considered as a Schedule I drug under federal law. Physicians can only recommend cannabis to a patient.

The law mandates that medical marijuana must be produced by a single cultivator and distributed to patients through up to 10 pharmacies. Edwards in June signed HB 579 and HB 627, which expanded the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana.

Patients, caregivers, a parent, or guardian of a minor in possession of medical marijuana are protected from prosecution for the possession or distribution of marijuana. Physicians licensed by the Louisiana State Medical Board and who reside in Louisiana may recommend medical marijuana to patients clinically diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition, to be determined by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
 
The state’s first marijuana crop was planted in August 2018 in a temporary pod constructed with the goal of getting some product on the shelves by early November 2018. However, the state has pushed back sales due to a lack of independent testing facilities.
 

Qualifying Conditions

  • Cachexia, or wasting disease
  • Cancer
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • HIV / AIDS
  • Glaucoma
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Seizures
  • Severe spasms
  • Spastic quadriplegia
  • Spasticity

An application process hasn’t yet been established. However, patients, caregivers, or a parent or guardian of a minor in possession of medical marijuana are protected from prosecution for the possession or distribution of marijuana. Physicians licensed by the Louisiana State Medical Board and who reside in Louisiana may recommend medical marijuana to patients clinically diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition, to be determined by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.

One pharmacy will operate in each of the nine regions of the state established by the Louisiana Department of Health. Louisiana law prohibits marijuana from being sold in any form that can be smoked. The forms sold at state-permitted pharmacies will include pills, topical creams and oils and can only be dispensed to patients with a doctor’s recommendation form.

Data last updated 01/21/2019