Louisiana

The products that contain less than 0.3% THC are federally legal in Louisiana. After the 2018 Farm Bill  made industrial hemp legal in all 50 states, Louisiana passed a bill to clarify the legality of industrial hemp and CBD products in the state.
The law also requires all CBD products sold through online retailers to have an ATC license, as well as a physical location in the state.
CBD products are legal in Louisiana, however, they must be obtained from a licensed retailer. The state's Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) regulates hemp companies. They should also register their physical location of business.

Table of contents

1. Brief Info

 
  • Is CBD Legal in Louisiana?
  The products that contain less than 0.3% THC are federally legal in Louisiana.  
  • Who Can Buy CBD in Louisiana?
  Individuals at the age of 18 or over.   
  • Who Can grow CBD products in Louisiana?
  People that have a license issued by the government.  
  • Who is protected from criminal offenses regarding CBD use?
  The ones who didn’t exceed the dosage and possession limits of CBD 
  • More in-depth information about the state regulations and laws.

2. Louisiana CBD laws

  In 2018, the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy  ruled that CBD possession is prohibited. Due to the chemical being found in marijuana plants, the board classifies CBD oil as a cannabis plant-derived derivative. After the 2018 Farm Bill  made industrial hemp legal in all 50 states, Louisiana passed a bill to clarify the legality of industrial hemp and CBD products in the state.

House Bill 491 or Act 164

Lawmakers submitted House Bill 491, which calls for the legalization, cultivation, and retail sales of hemp derivatives. In June 2019, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed Act 16, aligning Louisiana's regulations with the federal law's provisions on hemp. The Board of Pharmacy in Louisiana subsequently withdrew its prior statement. The difference between hemp and medical marijuana was addressed by the Louisiana Hemp Law, Act 164. The act specified that CBD products must be made from state-approved industrial hemp plants. As a result, hemp oil and CBD oil items with a THC concentration of less than 0.3 percent are now legal to sell and consume in the state. According to the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC), the state ban has been aligned with the FDA's prohibition on CBD goods being marketed as medicines or dietary supplements. As a result, giving CBD medicines to patients is expressly prohibited by Act 164. In Louisiana, there isn't a limit on the amount of hemp-derived or CBD products that individuals may possess. The bill also prohibits the sale of the following: CBD-infused food and beverages. Alcoholic drinks containing CBD. Dietary supplements promoted as containing CBD or hemp Inhalable or smoked cannabis and CBD products As a result, CBD vape pens, CBD vape oils, CBD gummies, and CBD-infused beverages are not permitted in Louisiana.

House Bill 819 or Act 286

Louisiana's medical cannabis program was expanded in July 2020 by House Bill 819, which became Act 286 and went into force the following August. Doctors are permitted to prescribe medical cannabis to individuals with chronic, life-threatening illnesses under the new legislation. Apart from qualifying diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, Act 286 permits doctors to prescribe medical marijuana for other health problems they determine to be severe.

Licensing Requirements

CBD products are legal in Louisiana, however, they must be obtained from a licensed retailer. The state's Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) regulates hemp companies. They should also register their physical location of business. The law also requires all CBD products sold through online retailers to have an ATC license, as well as a physical location in the state. After necessary permits have been granted, CBD retailers or dealers in Louisiana may sell CBD items under the conditions listed below:
  • CBD products sold by licensed CBD vendors must come from hemp cultivated under federal supervision.
  • In order to avoid having an illegal drug on the market, CBD products must not contain THC in amounts greater than 0.3 percent in dry weight.
  • In Louisiana, it is illegal to sell cannabis products intended for inhalation.
  • CBD-infused food and beverage items are not permitted for sale.
  • CBD products offered for sale must be registered with the Louisiana Department of Health.
 

Where to Buy CBD Products Legally In Louisiana?

When purchasing CBD in Louisiana, consumers should contact the Alcohol and Tobacco Control Department in the state. The CBD licensing list, which was released on February 18, 2020, includes registered brands and dispensaries in major Louisiana cities such as New Orleans, Lafayette, and Baton Rouge. There are a number of dispensaries and licensed retailers in the state. They include:
  • Crescent City Apothecary in New Orleans, LA
  • Hippie Town in Lafayette, LA
  • Magnolia CBD Oils LLC in Baton Rouge, LA
The official website of the ATC may be used by CBD users in Louisiana to obtain a current list of licensees. Individuals who purchase CBD online may look up the list for further information. Online merchants must register with the ATC, according to state legislation. On the product page, trustworthy internet retailers make certain that all necessary product information, such as CBD strength, THC content, and lab test results, is clearly stated or linked to. Furthermore, to locate highly rated CBD businesses in the state, consumers may use the BBB's website and other review platforms. Aurora CBD and Hemp in Houma, LA, and Southern Tropics, LLC in Hammond, LA are two Louisiana-based CBD businesses with excellent BBB ratings.  

Medical Cannabis in Louisiana

Act No. 874 of the 1991 Louisiana legislative session legalized medical marijuana for residents of Louisiana. After that, the State expanded its program to include a variety of medical conditions that may be treated. To be eligible for a Louisiana Marijuana License, you must fulfill the following requirements: have been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition; possess the official written document from a licensed Louisiana physician; and be a resident of Louisiana (with proof of residency).  

Steps to Receive a Medical Marijuana Card in Louisiana

 

Step 1: Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with a licensed physician.   

Step 2: Meet with a doctor

Reach out to a qualified physician and arrange a virtual meeting through telemedicine to go over your medical history.  

Step 3: Receive the Card

You'll get your prescription from the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy after the doctor approves it.

3. Notes

  1. Geoffrey William Guy; Brian Anthony Whittle; Philip Robson (2004). The Medicinal Uses of Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Pharmaceutical Press. pp. 74–. ISBN 978-0-85369-517-2.
  2. Bloomsbury Publishing (2010). Dictionary of Medical Terms. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 139