Louisiana lawmakers Tuesday killed an effort to legalize recreational marijuana, leaving the state's medical cannabis program as the only legal option for those seeking to use the drug. Despite the setback, advocates for legal remain hopeful that Louisiana will eventually join the growing number of states that have legalize marijuana for recreational use.
Louisiana's medical marijuana program was established in 2015 but only became operational in 2019. The program allows patients with qualifying medical conditions to obtain marijuana products from state-licensed dispensaries. Qualifying conditions include cancer, HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease, among others.
While medical marijuana is legal in Louisiana, recreational use is not. Possession of up to 14 grams of marijuana can result in a fine of up to $300 and up to 15 days in jail. Possession of larger amounts can result in more severe penalties, including longer jail sentences and larger fines.
When Colorado and Washington first passed legislation legal recreational cannabis in 2012, they were anomalies in a country that at the time had strict drug laws. However, in the years since, more and more states have followed suit, with 18 states and the District of Columbia now allowing recreational use of marijuana.
The Louisiana House of Representatives recently passed a bill to improve the state's expungement program for cannabis Possession convictions. The bill would allow individuals to have their convictions expunged if they were for Possession of up to 14 grams of marijuana and did not involve distribution or intent to distribute.
Lake Charles, LA (KPLC) - The recreational use of marijuana remains illegal in Louisiana, but some state lawmakers want to be prepared if and when the state legalize the drug. State Senator Karen Carter Peterson has introduced a bill that would create a framework for recreational marijuana legal in Louisiana.
In November, John Williams, the top beer lobbyist in Louisiana, sent out a mass email to legislators with an alarming subject line: "Marijuana is coming." The email urged lawmakers to take action to regulate the industry before it becomes too late.
Louisiana State Representative Candace Newell will introduce two bills related to marijuana decriminalization and regulation in 2023. The first bill would reduce the penalty for Possession of small amounts of marijuana to a fine of $50 or less. The second bill would establish a system for regulating and taxing the sale of marijuana in Louisiana.
State House lawmakers advanced a proposal Thursday that would tweak Louisiana's regulation on high-inducing consumable hemp products. The proposal would require that such products be labeled with a warning that they contain THC, a psychoactive compound found in marijuana.
"I want to ensure that when it is legal, that it's Louisiana citizens that have the opportunity to take part in this economic opportunity," said State Representative Cedric Glover, who has introduced a bill to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana in Louisiana.
In conclusion, while Louisiana has taken steps to legalize medical marijuana and improve its expungement program for cannabis Possession convictions, recreational use of marijuana remains illegal. However, with lawmakers introducing bills to establish a framework for legal and regulation, it is possible that Louisiana could join the growing number of states that have legalize marijuana for recreational use in the near future.
