Exploring the Legalities of Weed in New Orleans
It was sweet while it lasted for fans of New Orleans-inspired beignets, king cakes and legal weed. The city has had a tumultuous year as far as marijuana laws are concerned. In 2021, Louisiana passed a law allowing for the sale of medical marijuana, but it wasn’t until 2022 that recreational use was legal. While the laws in Louisiana remain strict, they have been relaxed in recent years. This article takes a look at what it means to possess and consume marijuana in New Orleans.
Jim Abeler says he didn't realize the new law would legal THC edibles. Abeler, a New Orleans resident, says he was surprised to see that edibles were now legal. He says he was used to having to hide his cannabis consumption. While sitting in a New Orleans field, Chambers lit up a joint and passed it around to his friends. Abeler says it was the first time he had been able to freely consume marijuana in public.
“Even though marijuana is legal in Oregon and some states, here in New Orleans it’s still illegal to possess and consume,” Abeler says. The same goes for New Orleans where the one-year look-back at weed offenses is still in effect. This means that if you’re caught with marijuana, the police can charge you with a misdemeanor.
Without advocacy, there is no cannabis justice movement or legal protection for those who rely on marijuana as an essential part of their medical treatment. In 2021, Act 651 (House Bill 988) was passed by Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans. This bill prevents state workers from being discriminated against solely on the basis of a marijuana-related conviction.
These new laws are in addition to Act 247, passed in 2021, which decriminalized possess of marijuana up to 14 grams imposing fines as opposed to jail time. However, this law does not apply to violent offenders or those with previous drug charges.
“I probably would have played longer,” Williams told The New York Post. The former NFL player is an advocate for cannabis reform. In 2022, marijuana is medical legal in 39 states and recreational legal in 15 states, including Louisiana.
According to Montano, since marijuana use has been decriminalized in the city, the CAO policy was updated to reflect that change. This means that CAO officers are not allowed to arrest or charge individuals for marijuana possess, even if it is more than 14 grams.
What do the New Orleans City Council, the Louisiana Legislature and the leadership of the New Orleans Police Department have in common? They are all working together to make sure that legal marijuana is available to the citizens of New Orleans. In 2021, the city council approved the first new permit to be granted since sales of legal marijuana began in 2019.
In conclusion, marijuana laws in New Orleans have been relaxed in recent years. While recreational use is still illegal, possess of small amounts has been decriminalized and medical marijuana is now available. The city council is also working to grant new permits to businesses wanting to sell legal marijuana.
