A BRIEF HISTORY OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN LOUISIANA
A BRIEF HISTORY OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN LOUISIANA
The history of medical marijuana in Louisiana is one that has seen a great deal of debate and controversy since its legalization in the early 21st century. Over the years, there has been a growing call to legalize marijuana across the country. As a result, more and more states are legalizing cannabis, including marijuana and its derivatives like CBD, for both recreational and medical use. Learn about the state’s medical marijuana history and how patients can receive medical marijuana recommendations in Louisiana today with Transformative Health Center.
1978 – LEGALIZATION PLAGUED BY PROBLEMS
Though Louisiana is typically known for its restrictive stance on marijuana, the state was actually the first to legalize the substance for medical use in 1978. Senator Troy Guarisco sponsored the bill, which was then signed into law by Governor Edwin Edwards.
Louisiana’s first medical marijuana law, Act No.725, permitted the substance to be used for patients with glaucoma and undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. However, supplying marijuana was not explicitly addressed in the legislation, rendering its usage impractical. In light of this, it was a major challenge to obtain medical marijuana in Louisiana. While the future of medical marijuana in Louisiana would give patients access to authorized doctors or a medical marijuana evaluation, this was not an option at the time.
To aid in obtaining medical marijuana for valid medical needs, the Marijuana Prescription Review Board was formed under the 1978 law in Louisiana. However, it floundered as it depended on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to appoint members and provide product and distribution logistics, which never materialized. This meant that doctors couldn’t legally evaluate medical marijuana or write a prescription, and patients had no legal way to buy the product if they wanted it.
1991 – THE LEGALIZATION OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA DOCTOR IN LOUISIANA
Louisiana wouldn’t revisit medical marijuana access until over a decade later with Act No. 874. The state legislature amended the 1978 law in 1991 to include spastic quadriplegia as a qualifying condition, setting a 1992 deadline for HHS to do their part. Finally, it became legal for doctors to evaluate patients for medical marijuana in 1994. But even then, there was no reliable means for patients to obtain it.
2015 – MEDICAL MARIJUANA EVALUATION LEADS TO ACTUAL PRODUCT
Fred Mills assumed the role of executive director for the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy in 1998 and was immediately made aware of the medical marijuana supply problem. It wasn’t until 2014, during his tenure as a senator, that he decided to sponsor a bill that would address this concern. Unfortunately, due to opposition, the bill failed to go through. However, Mills introduced another attempt in 2015, with Senate Bill (SB) 143.
In 2015, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed a bill into law that allowed the usage of non-smokable forms of marijuana, while simultaneously putting in place strict controls over its growth, dispensing, and prescription. With a decrease in opposition, the legislation also extended the list of qualifying medical conditions.
PRESENT DAY – PATIENTS CAN VISIT A MEDICAL MARIJUANA DOCTOR IN BATON ROUGE, RECEIVE REFERRAL, & PURCHASE MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Despite Louisiana’s difficult history with medical marijuana, the future of medical marijuana is bright. Today, the laws have finally come to fruition. Patients can visit a medical marijuana doctor in Baton Rouge or other areas for a medical marijuana evaluation. If their condition qualifies for medical marijuana usage, the patient can then receive a recommendation which will be sent to a local dispensary. The Agricultural Centers at Louisiana State University and Southern University, as well as their private partners, are now recognized by the state, alongside nine pharmacy locations where medical marijuana can be dispensed.
Following a successful harvest at Southern University, the first tinctures became available for purchase in August 2019. Earlier in the year, HB 358 was approved by lawmakers to add vaporized marijuana (via metered-dose inhaler) to the list of approved forms of medical marijuana. And in January 2022, smokeable cannabis flower was legalized for use with certain medical conditions.
The good news for qualifying patients is that they can not only locate a medical marijuana doctor in Louisiana and receive a medical marijuana evaluation in their area of residence, but they can also find the products needed to address symptoms for a wide range of conditions. Hopefully, accessibility for patients will continue to expand in the years to come.
