For the first time, medical marijuana patients in Louisiana will be able to smoke.
House Bill 391 was signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards. The bill legalizes dispensaries to sell the smokable, flower form of cannabis, which is known as “flower.”
While both marijuana in its natural form and extracts are more expensive to produce than edibles or concentrates, they are less pricey to process.
In Louisiana, there are three grow sites, two of which are part of the Louisiana State University system and one is part of the Southern University system.
Dr. Mike Strain, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, said these sites are getting ready for the shift. And according to Strain, the two universities are growing both medicinal marijuana and industrial hemp.
“There are about 150 acres of land that they’ve identified that can be used for cannabis cultivation,” he said. These grow sites have 185 to 200 pounds of product available for distribution across nine sites in major cities in Louisiana.
Smoking marijuana will still be illegal in any public place or on federal property where smoking is not allowed. Law enforcement officers will be able to take blood tests if they suspect someone of driving under the influence, but currently, there are no devices available to accurately measure THC levels at this time.
Under current law, possession of up to 14 grams of cannabis is punishable by a $100 fine, with no prospect of incarceration.
According to a recent survey, Louisianans in some of the most firmly Republican sections of the state support legalizing marijuana, and a majority of voters favor legislation that allows adults to consume cannabis.
For the moment, let’s celebrate Louisiana joining the ranks of states that have legalized medical marijuana. This is a big step forward in the legalization process for cannabis treatments. If you’re interested in learning more about how we may help your chronic condition, contact us today! We’ll provide all the information we’ve gathered from our research and allow you to make an informed decision on whether this treatment would work for you. Let’s get started with a consultation right away!
