The current legal discussions surrounding medical marijuana in Louisiana have been heating up recently. While many current and potential patients seek easier access to a medical cannabis card or recommendation, the state’s governing bodies have frequently locked horns over these issues. One of the most heated topics of discussion has been the role of telehealth in medical marijuana evaluations.
Legislators seem to largely agree that many of the obstacles preventing patients from receiving medical marijuana should be mitigated and removed. But they have received pushback from the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) regarding telehealth recommendations. Recently, the Louisiana Attorney General weighed in as well, providing a legal opinion on the topic. Learn more about these developments and how they could affect medical marijuana patients with Transformative Health Center.
Disagreements Over Telehealth and Medical Marijuana
In a previous blog post, we covered some of the hurdles faced by recent legislation intended to codify telehealth evaluations for medical marijuana in Louisiana. The LSBME disagreed with the Louisiana Senate Health and Welfare Committee over its interpretation of the law. LSBME Executive Counsel Patricia Wilton appeared before the committee to discuss the LSBME’s issues with the legislation. According to Wilton, “…telemedicine is in an entirely different body of law,” which “encompasses many statutory requirements.” Until the dispute is resolved, the ability of Louisiana patients to obtain what is essentially a medical cannabis card (or recommendation) via telehealth remains unclear.
The Louisiana AG Delivers Opinions on Telehealth and Medical Marijuana
In early January, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry gave his opinion on the disagreement. According to Landry, the legislation should “prevent LSBME from imposing any in-person visit requirement prior to a physician recommending therapeutic marijuana.” Part of the reasoning for the attorney general’s position comes from the fact that the legislation does not cover medical marijuana prescriptions. Specifically, because medical marijuana is recommended in Louisiana and not prescribed, it is regulated differently. This means that some of the legal limitations placed on prescription medications don’t apply to medical marijuana recommendations.
Are You Interested in a Medical Cannabis Card in Louisiana?
If you believe you have a condition that could qualify you for a medical cannabis card in Louisiana, we’re here to help. There are some nuances in Louisiana law. For example, patients do not receive a prescription or a medical cannabis card. But they can receive a recommendation for the therapeutic use of marijuana. We perform evaluations that can assist patients who may benefit from medical marijuana. To schedule an appointment, please contact us online. We offer in-person and virtual consultations to provide enough flexibility for virtually any schedule. Reach out to us today!
