Louisiana

Louisiana legalized medical cannabis in 2015 through Senate Bill 143, though the program did not begin dispensing products until 2019. The state operates a highly restricted model with cultivation limited to two licenses held by the LSU and Southern University agricultural centers, which contract with private operators. Retail is limited to 10 permits with up to two satellite locations each. As of January 2025, approximately 53,000 patients are enrolled. In 2024, Act 693 transferred regulatory authority from the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to the Louisiana Department of Health, which now oversees the Cannabis Program. Qualifying conditions include cancer, HIV/AIDS, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, and PTSD. A 2026 legislative proposal (HB 373) would authorize a pilot adult-use program beginning in 2027, signaling growing momentum for broader legalization.