Louisiana Cannabis Laws

Legal — Medical Only

Louisiana has a medical marijuana program that has expanded significantly since its initial authorization in 2015. In 2021, the state expanded the program to allow smokable flower and broad physician discretion for recommendations. Recreational use remains illegal but possession of small amounts was decriminalized in 2021.

Last updated: January 15, 2026

Quick Facts

Minimum Age	18+ (medical only)
Purchase Limits (Rec)	N/A — Not legal
Purchase Limits (Med)	2.5 oz of non-raw (processed) cannabis or equivalent per 14-day period
Delivery Allowed	No
Home Growing	Not allowed.
Public Consumption	Prohibited. Medical cannabis must be consumed in a private residence.
ID Requirements	Louisiana medical marijuana recommendation (no separate card needed), Government-issued photo ID
Tourist Rules	Louisiana does not have a reciprocity program. Only patients with a recommendation from a Louisiana-licensed physician can purchase from licensed pharmacies.
Penalties	Possession of 14g or less is a misdemeanor ($100 fine, no jail for first offense). 14g to 2.5 lbs is a misdemeanor (up to 6 months). Over 2.5 lbs is a felony.
Tax Info	Medical cannabis is subject to standard state and local sales taxes. A proposed excise tax has been discussed but not yet enacted.

Medical Cannabis Program

Qualifying Conditions

Any condition that a Louisiana-licensed physician determines might benefit from medical marijuana treatment. The state removed the specific qualifying conditions list in 2021, giving physicians full discretion.

How to Get a Card

Patients need a recommendation from a Louisiana-licensed physician. No separate state registration or card is required — the physician's recommendation is entered into the state prescription monitoring program.

Medical Marijuana in Louisiana

Louisiana's medical marijuana program has evolved significantly. Initially one of the most restrictive in the country, a series of legislative expansions have broadened access. In 2021, Louisiana became the first Deep South state to allow smokable medical cannabis, and physicians were given complete discretion to recommend cannabis for any condition they see fit.

Cannabis is dispensed through licensed pharmacies (not traditional dispensaries) across the state. Products include flower, tinctures, topicals, edibles, metered-dose inhalers, and transdermal patches.

Next steps: compare dispensaries in Louisiana, how to find a licensed dispensary, what to bring to a dispensary, and browse all state cannabis pages.

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Official License Lookup

Verify a dispensary's license on the official Louisiana website:

Visit Louisiana Cannabis Regulator