Cannabis in Louisiana

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Cannabis in Louisiana is legal only for medicinal use; recreational possession of 14 grams or less is decriminalized punishable by a fine of no more than $100. Medicinal use is allowed with a physician's written recommendation for any debilitating condition. Prior to statewide decriminalization, possession of small amounts of marijuana was first decriminalized in the cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport. [1]

Contents

Legality

Prohibition (1920s)

Sources give varying dates for the prohibition of cannabis in Louisiana, generally either 1924 [2] or 1927. [3] [4]

Despite this law, and newspaper accounts of contemporaneous cannabis use in New Orleans, in 1930 there were only 30 marijuana convictions in the entire state. [5]

Reduction of criminal penalties

On June 30, 2015, Governor Bobby Jindal signed SB 143, which significantly reduced penalties for possession of cannabis. Under the bill, first time possession is punishable by a $300 fine and 15 days in jail, a second offense by up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, a third offense by up a $2,500 fine and up to two years in jail, and fourth or subsequent offenses by up to a $5,000 fine and eight years in prison. [6]

Decriminalization

On June 15, 2021, Governor John Bel Edwards signed HB 652 which decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana statewide. Under the bill, possession of less than 14 grams of cannabis is punishable by a $100 fine and no threat of jail time for the first and every subsequent offense. The reduced penalties took effect August 1, 2021. Possession of more than 14 grams and illegal distribution still carry harsh penalties. [7] Punishment for possession over 14 grams, distribution, and cultivation can range anywhere from 6 months to 30 years in prison, and $500 to $50,000 in fines. [8]

According to Louisiana legislature, cannabis is described as any part of the cannabis plant that can be used to either grow more of the cannabis plant or any part that can be used as a drug. However, the legislature states that the stems of the plant are not illegal to have as long as the stems are being used for fiber production; the seeds are also allowed to be owned under government law as long as they are not fertile and not capable of growing a new plant. [9]

Despite medical marijuana being decriminalized, it is still possible to be arrested if you are operating a motor vehicle under the influence. [10]

Discriminatory bail amounts

In 1996, a study was performed that studied the bail amounts of white and non-white inmates who were arrested for possession of marijuana. The study took into account race, gender, amount of product on the persons when arrested, and what state the individual lived in. After conducting the study, Lee and Ruiz found that people of color had a much higher bail amount than white individuals who were arrested for the same crime. [11]

Medical cannabis (2015–present)

On June 30, 2015, Governor Bobby Jindal signed HB 149, which sets up a framework for dispensing marijuana for medical purposes. [12] On Tuesday, August 6, 2019, medical cannabis was dispensed in the state for the first time, supplied by cannabis grower GB Sciences. [13] In August 2020, HB 819, signed by Governor John Bel Edwards, greatly expanded access to medical cannabis. [14] HB 819 allows any licensed doctor in good standing with the state to recommend cannabis for any condition the doctor "considers debilitating to an individual patient and is qualified through his medical education and training to treat." The bill expanded access to candidates with conditions not limited to, but including "neuro-degenerative diseases, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, and any conditions requiring hospice or palliative care." [10] Louisiana does not assign medical marijuana cards to patients; a doctor's recommendation sent to the patient's local dispensary is the only requirement. Effective January 1st 2022, the law expanded to now allow raw flower marijuana to be purchasable through dispensaries. Possession of up to 2.5oz of cannabis flower will be legal for medicinal purposes. [15] On June 6, 2022, Act 491 was signed by Governor John Bel Edwards expanding dispensary access by allowing existing dispensaries to start an additional dispensary only in their respective region, if they meet a customer requirement of 3500. [16] Currently, dispensaries in Louisiana can only operate in their respective region, assigned to them by the Louisiana Department of Health. As of July 2022, each of the nine regions has only one dispensary. [17] Marijuana plants grown for recreational/medicinal purposes, outside of licensed growers, are not allowed in Louisiana. [18]

Demographics of dispensary patients

A study was conducted of around 1200 people who frequented medical marijuana dispensaries around Louisiana; over 85% of them were of white descent, while only 11% were of black descent. [19] The patients who were interviewed had an average age of 51 with around 65% of them having a history of smoking non-medically prescribed marijuana. These patients were also asked how they ingested the THC/CBD before they were prescribed medical marijuana, with the most common being smoking (no specific form) and the least common being topical cream. Men were also found to be three times more likely to be taking prescription opioids while taking medical marijuana than women. Their findings have also stated that women are much more likely to have suffered some form of psychosis in the past before their medical marijuana prescription. [19]

Cannabis and COVID-19

A study was conducted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic studying how recreational marijuana usage is prevalent in college students. This study follows 727 individuals located in Louisiana. Louisiana was chosen to be the location of this study since it was one of the states with the highest COVID-19 cases and deaths. [20] The hypothesis of this study is that if people are recreationally smoking marijuana during the pandemic, they will start to attain psychosocial tendencies and lose the ability to function as normal. 184 of these individuals admitted to already having used marijuana recreationally before the pandemic. After conducting this study, the researchers found that these college students were starting to behave differently and started having trouble processing and understanding their own emotions. The marijuana was not said to cause these emotions on their own, but exacerbate the already underlying feelings.[ citation needed ]

2023 Medical cannabis reforms and updates

In June 2023, several bills passed the Louisiana Legislature to "reform and update" medical cannabis legislation. The Governor of Louisiana is yet to either sign or veto the bills. [21] The Governor of Louisiana however signed a bill into law that implements the “expungement” of certain cannabis criminal records of individuals - based under certain conditions and circumstances (i.e. up to 14g possession and being a first time offender). [22]

Related Research Articles

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Cannabis in Oregon is legal for both medical and recreational use. In recent decades, the U.S. state of Oregon has had a number of legislative, legal and cultural events surrounding the use of cannabis. Oregon was the first state to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis and authorize its use for medical purposes. An attempt to recriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis was turned down by Oregon voters in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of cannabis laws in the United States</span>

The legal history of cannabis in the United States began with state-level prohibition in the early 20th century, with the first major federal limitations occurring in 1937. Starting with Oregon in 1973, individual states began to liberalize cannabis laws through decriminalization. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis, sparking a trend that spread to a majority of states by 2016. In 2012, Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Wisconsin</span>

Cannabis in Wisconsin is illegal for recreational use. Possession of any amount is punishable by up to 6 months in prison and a $1000 fine for a first offense. A second offense is punished as a felony with up to 3.5 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. At the local level, however, numerous municipalities and counties have decriminalized cannabis or lessened penalties for minor possession offenses. Medical use is legal only in the form of low-THC cannabis oil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Alabama</span>

Cannabis in Alabama is illegal for recreational use. First-time possession of personal amounts is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison, a fine of up to $6000, and a mandatory six months driver's license suspension. Repeat offenses and possession with intent to sell are felonies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in North Dakota</span>

Cannabis in North Dakota is legal for medical use but illegal for recreational use. Since 2019 however, possession under a 1/2 ounce has been decriminalized in the sense that there is no threat of jail time, though a criminal infraction fine up to $1,000 still applies. The cultivation of hemp is currently legal in North Dakota. In November 2018, the state's voters voted on recreational marijuana legalization, along with Michigan; the measure was rejected 59% to 41%. Two groups attempted to put marijuana legalization measures on the June 2020 Primary and the November 2020 elections, but were prevented from doing so by the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Virginia</span>

Cannabis in Virginia is legal for medical use and recreational use. The first medical marijuana dispensary opened in August 2020, and adult recreational use became legalized in July 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in the United States Virgin Islands</span>

Cannabis in the United States Virgin Islands is legal for recreational use since January 18, 2023, under territorial law. Legislation to legalize was passed by the territorial legislature in 2022, and was signed into law on January 18. Medical use was legalized in 2019 through a bill that passed the Senate 9–4. It remains illegal under federal law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Missouri</span>

Cannabis in Missouri is legal for recreational use. A ballot initiative to legalize recreational use, Amendment 3, passed by a 53–47 margin on November 8, 2022. Possession for adults 21 and over became legal on December 8, 2022, with the first licensed sales occurring on February 3, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Mississippi</span>

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Cannabis in New Hampshire is illegal for recreational use and decriminalized for possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce (21 g) as of July 18, 2017. Medical use is legal through legislation passed in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Delaware</span>

Cannabis in Delaware is legal for medicinal and recreational use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Maryland</span>

Cannabis in Maryland is legal for medical use and recreational use. Possession of up to 1.5 ounces and cultivation of up to 2 plants is legal for adults 21 years of age and older. In 2013, a state law was enacted to establish a state-regulated medical cannabis program. The program, known as the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) became operational on December 1, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Florida</span>

Cannabis in Florida is illegal for recreational use. Possession of up to 20 grams is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $1000, and the suspension of one's driver's license. Several cities and counties have enacted reforms to apply lesser penalties, however.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Ohio</span>

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References

  1. Center, Transformative Health. "Cannabis History in Louisiana". Transformative Health Center. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  2. Steven R. Belenko (January 1, 2000). Drugs and Drug Policy in America: A Documentary History. Greenwood Press. ISBN   978-0-313-29902-5.
  3. Stephen R. Kandall (1999). Substance and Shadow: Women and Addiction in the United States. Harvard University Press. pp. 110–. ISBN   978-0-674-85361-4.
  4. C. W. M. Wilson (October 22, 2013). The Pharmacological and Epidemiological Aspects of Adolescent Drug Dependence: Proceedings of the Society for the Study of Addiction, London, 1 and 2 September 1966. Elsevier. pp. 360–. ISBN   978-1-4831-8616-0.
  5. University of Southwestern Louisiana. Center for Louisiana Studies (2005). The Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Series in Louisiana History. Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Southwestern Louisiana. p. 37. ISBN   9781887366670.
  6. "Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal Signs Marijuana Reform Bills". Thedailychronic.net. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  7. Folley, Aris (June 7, 2021). "Louisiana lawmakers pass bill to decriminalize marijuana". The Hill . Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  8. "Louisiana Laws - Louisiana State Legislature". legis.la.gov. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  9. "Louisiana Laws - Louisiana State Legislature". legis.la.gov. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  10. 1 2 Kane, Theresa; Flood, Christopher; Oluwato, Tobi; Pan, Qinshi; Zilbermint, Mihail (May 4, 2021). "Expanding legal treatment options for medical marijuana in the State of Louisiana". Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives. 11 (3): 343–349. doi:10.1080/20009666.2021.1890339. PMC   8118431 . PMID   34234903.
  11. "LOUIS Authentication". uno.louislibraries.org. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  12. "Politics | News from The Advocate". The Advocate. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  13. "Louisiana launching medical marijuana after years of waiting". PBS NewsHour . August 6, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  14. "It's official: Louisiana widening access to medical marijuana under new law". WWLTV. June 17, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  15. Rosato, Chris. "Smokable medical marijuana now available for Louisiana patients". WAFB. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  16. Lacen, Marlo. "New Louisiana marijuana laws in effect Aug. 1". KLFY. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  17. Bacon-Blood, Littice. "Here's where Louisiana's medical marijuana pharmacies will locate". NOLA.com. The Advocate. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  18. "Franchising marijuana business: it's not quite mission impossible". heinonline.org. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  19. 1 2 Allen, Raymond; Boudreaux, Doug; Keller, Jeffrey (June 15, 2020). "Comparison of Male and Female Patients in Louisiana Medical Marijuana Dispensaries" (PDF). MDPI.
  20. Abarno, Cristina N.; Glover, Nina I.; Morris, Paige E.; Zvolensky, Michael J.; Buckner, Julia D. (December 6, 2021). "Functional Impairment in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic among Cannabis Users". Substance Use & Misuse. 56 (14): 2221–2228. doi:10.1080/10826084.2021.1981389. ISSN   1082-6084. PMID   34608833.
  21. https://www.brproud.com/news/louisiana-news/see-the-new-marijuana-laws-passed-in-louisiana-waiting-for-ok-from-governor/ [ bare URL ]
  22. https://www.marijuanamoment.net/louisiana-governor-signs-marijuana-expungements-bill-into-law/ [ bare URL ]