Who Qualifies for Medical Marijuana in Louisiana? All You Need to Know

As the discussion around the effectiveness of medical marijuana grows, more and more states are recognizing its potential usefulness. As such, the states are taking steps to legalize it. Louisiana, for instance, legalizes marijuana only for medical purposes and not for recreational purposes. Any person found acting contrary to the legal provisions governing the use of medical marijuana is subjected to stringent penalties. In addition to these penalties, Louisiana medical marijuana laws exhaustively provide for the eligibility requirements for medical marijuana.

Here is a brief outline of the conditions which qualify for medical marijuana in Louisiana and the eligible persons.

What Conditions Qualify for Louisiana Medical Marijuana?

Following the passing of Act 286 in 2020, Louisiana removed restrictions from its list of qualifying illnesses. By doing so, the bill currently allows healthcare providers to recommend medical marijuana for “any condition” they believe should qualify. However, the physician must be recognized by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, and the patient must have a relationship with the doctor.

Before the enactment of Act 286 in 2020, the following were some of the conditions that qualified for medical marijuana:

• Chronic pain
• Cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spasticity
• Cachexia
• Severe muscle spasms
• Self-injuring behaviors
• PTSD
• Self-injuring disorders
• Parkinson’s disease
• Seizure disorders

Who Qualifies for Medical Marijuana in Louisiana?

Following the enactment of the new law governing medical marijuana, you are only required to meet the following conditions to qualify for a medical marijuana license:

• You must have a recommendation letter from a licensed doctor
• You must be a Louisiana resident with proof of residency

How to Become a Medical Marijuana Patient in Louisiana

To be eligible for medical marijuana, you must meet the following requirements and take the necessary steps for approval.

Visiting a certified physician is the first step to accessing medical marijuana in Louisiana. Here, the doctor sets out to ascertain whether you are eligible for medical marijuana by checking whether your condition requires medical marijuana treatment. If approved, the doctor concludes by recommending medical marijuana for treatment.

Also, the following are some of the fundamental facts to note in relation to medical marijuana patients.

Louisiana doesn’t have medicinal cannabis reciprocity: This means that a certified physician in Louisiana can’t directly prescribe medical marijuana. Instead, the certified doctor can only recommend marijuana to state residents. These recommendations are often sent straight to your closest licensed dispensary.

Patients must provide any relevant medical records to the recommending doctor: If you wish to become a medical marijuana patient, you must submit the necessary records to the doctor for verification. The documentation and other relevant medical records help the physician determine your qualifications by assessing your condition.

No state registry or medical marijuana card is required: The recommendation from a certified physician denotes the only requirement to be a medical marijuana patient. Put simply, the recommendation serves as proof that you are eligible for medical marijuana in Louisiana.

The dispensary is the only place you can find medical marijuana: You won’t find medical marijuana on the pharmacy’s shelves. This is because medical marijuana isn’t a doctor’s prescription but a recommendation. Therefore, you’ll be required to visit a dispensary following a doctor’s recommendation for you to obtain medical marijuana.

How Can You Access Medical Marijuana in Louisiana?

As noted earlier, you can only access medical marijuana from a dispensary. This is because marijuana is considered illegal under federal law; therefore, doctors can’t prescribe it.

Also, even with a recommendation, you can’t cultivate medical marijuana. Only a few institutions are licensed to cultivate and produce medicine from marijuana.