Related: <a title="Washington D.C. Cannabis Laws Explained" href="https://weedzly.com/library/washington-dc-cannabis-laws-explained">Washington D.C. Cannabis Laws Explained</a>
While possessing small amounts of marijuana has been decriminalized in the state of Louisiana, it's only legal for medical use. Since 2021, possession of fewer than <a href="https://weedzly.com/library/how-much-weed-is-a-gram-eighth-ounce-half-ounce-quarter-pound-qp-and-pound">14 grams of cannabis</a> only carries a $100 fine and no jail time. However, any more than that will get you into serious trouble.
When it comes to medical marijuana dispensaries, there are currently nine in the state. Furthermore, smokable flower was not legally available for sale until January 1, 2022. Until then, medical patients were able to buy tinctures, distillates, metered-dose inhalers, chewable, and creams.
While complete <a href="https://weedzly.com/library/states-that-have-recently-legalized-cannabis">legalization is likely in Louisiana</a>, it won't happen anytime soon. In the meantime, citizens who suffer from certain conditions can apply for a medical marijuana card in Louisiana.
<h2 id="0">What Do You Need To Qualify?</h2>
First of all, in Louisiana, it's called a Marijuana License. In order to get a license, you must:
<ul>
<li>Be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition</li>
<li>Submit the official written certification from a doctor licensed in Louisiana</li>
<li>Provide proof of Louisiana residency by presenting a state driver&rsquo;s license or ID card.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
There is no age requirement, but patients under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian to register as their caregiver.
Also, your family doctor may not be able to qualify you for medical marijuana. Only physicians registered with the state to do so can qualify patients for medical marijuana.&nbsp;
<img title="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673892382/articles/i6mxnlvqslw5dxwyspa2.png" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673892382/articles/i6mxnlvqslw5dxwyspa2.png" alt="Medical card" width="687" height="344" />
<h3 id="1">Qualifying Medical Conditions in the State of Lousiana</h3>
There are many qualifying medical conditions to choose from. These are all serious, debilitating, and potentially life-threatening conditions. Your doctor must verify the validity of your condition.
<ul>
<li>AIDS/HIV</li>
<li>Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease</li>
<li>Any debilitating condition a doctor believes will benefit</li>
<li>Autism: some behaviors such as self-injury, aggression, and self-stimulating behaviors</li>
<li>Brain Concussion</li>
<li>Cancer</li>
<li>Chronic Pain</li>
<li>Crohn's Disease</li>
<li>Dementia with Lewy bodies&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://weedzly.com/library/medicinal-marijuana-used-for-epilepsy">Epilepsy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://weedzly.com/library/cannabis-for-glaucoma">Glaucoma</a></li>
<li>Hospice care</li>
<li>Huntington's Disease</li>
<li>Intractable Pain</li>
<li>Lou Gehrig&rsquo;s disease</li>
<li>Motor-neuron disease</li>
<li>Multiple Sclerosis​</li>
<li>Muscular Dystrophy</li>
<li>Non-Epileptic Seizures</li>
<li>Parkinson's Disease</li>
<li>PTSD</li>
<li>Seizure disorders</li>
<li>Severe muscle spasms</li>
<li>Spasticity</li>
<li>Spinal muscular atrophy</li>
<li>Traumatic brain injury</li>
<li>Wasting syndrome</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
If you have previously been diagnosed with any of these conditions, or believe you might have one, you probably qualify for a Louisiana Medical Marijuana Card.&nbsp;
The next step is to find a physician to review your condition and <a href="weedzly.com">recommend cannabis</a> as part of your treatment plan. This can cost a few hundred dollars. Also, your health insurance will not cover any of the costs associated with medical marijuana.&nbsp;
There are medical providers in the state that specialize in helping people obtain a medical marijuana card. Some doctors can even schedule a telemedicine appointment so you won't need to leave your home. If you go the telemedicine route, you'll need to complete a patient intake form as well as provide a copy of your medical records. From there, you can meet with a doctor online, who will evaluate your condition and possibly approve you for a marijuana license.
You can also meet with a doctor in-person for an evaluation. Keep in mind, you must have a verified, qualifying medical condition. A doctor will not simply approve everyone, because doing so will put his or her medical license at risk.
Once you have been diagnosed, your doctor will forward your recommendation to a <a href="https://weedzly.com/dispensaries">licensed medical marijuana dispensary</a> in the state.&nbsp;
<img title="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673892454/articles/ynbimfytpdauogx7oek3.png" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673892454/articles/ynbimfytpdauogx7oek3.png" alt="Medical weed" width="546" height="362" />
<h3 id="2">Where Medical Marijuana Patients Can Buy Their Medicine</h3>
Currently, there are nine <a href="https://weedzly.com/library/states-that-have-recently-legalized-cannabis">state-licensed dispensaries</a> in Louisiana that are regulated by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. These are located in:
<ul>
<li>Alexandria</li>
<li>Baton Rouge</li>
<li>Houma</li>
<li>Lafayette</li>
<li>Lake Charles</li>
<li>Madisonville</li>
<li>New Orleans</li>
<li>Shreveport</li>
<li>West Monroe</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Your doctor will forward your recommendation to the dispensary closest to your home. There is no official limit on the amount you can buy. The amount that you are allowed will be specified by your doctor.
Your Card Does Not Protect You From Drug Tests
Legally obtaining medical marijuana in Louisiana does not protect you from drug tests and potential disciplinary action from your employer. That means, despite having a qualifying condition, you can still be fired if you fail a drug test.
For this reason, make sure you know your employer&rsquo;s drug screening policy and any potential disciplinary action. If it looks like you might lose your job, you may want to rethink seeking a medical marijuana card.
However, medical marijuana patients do not need to tell law enforcement that they possess medical marijuana and they are under no obligation to consent to a search. But, if law enforcement does find your medical marijuana, you should immediately present your card. If that's not handy, direct the officer to the state database to prove you are a patient.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h3 id="3">Louisiana Dispensaries Do Not Reciprocate with the Other States</h3>
Unfortunately, out-of-state visitors will not be able to have their prescriptions filled at a Louisiana dispensary. Only Louisiana residents with a state-issued card can purchase medical marijuana in-state.
Likewise, currently there no states reciprocate with Louisiana. If you plan to visit another state, you'll likely need to leave your medical marijuana behind.
<img title="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673892420/articles/rlbxdbozumsow8iyuedf.jpg" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673892420/articles/rlbxdbozumsow8iyuedf.jpg" alt="Recipe weed" width="485" height="323" />
&nbsp;
<h3 id="4">Where Does Louisiana Medical Marijuana Come From?</h3>
Currently, all medical marijuana is grown at the LSU Ag Center and at the SU Ag Center in Baton Rouge. Production is regulated by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The LDAF Ag Chemistry lab tests the products.&nbsp;
Right now, patients and caregivers are not allowed to grow their own weed.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h3 id="5">CBD is Legal and Widely Available in Louisiana</h3>
If you do not qualify for medical marijuana in Louisiana, CBD might help to relieve some of your symptoms. CBD oils, tinctures, and lotions are often used for some of the same conditions, such as chronic pain.
To sell CBD products, a business must be licensed by the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Also, smokable CBD flowers and other inhalable forms are illegal in the state. Edibles and CBD drinks are also not allowed, and CBD cannot be marketed as a dietary supplement.
While Louisiana still maintains relatively restrictive cannabis laws, the time that recreational cannabis is legalized may come within a few years.