Every state in the US is gradually legalizing marijuana, and the medical marijuana Louisiana program is also advancing steadily. Although the state senate attempted to legalize medical usage in 2015, the procedure has been continually delayed by several terminological difficulties and a lack of a licensed infrastructure.
To find out everything you need to know, keep reading.
1. According To Federal Law, It Is Still Illegal
Federal law continues to list marijuana as a Schedule l substance. This indicates that it is treated similarly to heroin, LSD, meth, ecstasy, and peyote on a federal level to hazardous narcotics with no recognized medical value. Naturally, there are only calls for marijuana to be legalized nationwide because both domestic and international research has demonstrated its medical benefits. A law protecting patients, physicians, and suppliers was approved in Louisiana, allowing people who meet the requirements to legally acquire marijuana, but only at the state level.
2. Not All Illnesses Are Covered
Who is eligible to use medical marijuana has been restricted by law to prevent the possibility of systemic abuse. Before being extended to cover other ailments, it was initially reserved for people with fatal illnesses and those who had seizures.
The following conditions must be medically diagnosed to qualify for coverage:
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Crohn’s illness
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- AIDS/HIV
- Unrelenting Pain
- Various Sclerosis
- Physical Dystrophy
- Parkinson’s condition
- PTSD
- Profound Muscle Spasms
The state also enacted legislation earlier this year enabling people with autism spectrum disorders access to marijuana if their mental state posed a substantial risk to them, their caregivers, and other people.
3. Physicians Can Only Suggest It
A law’s exact phrasing is crucial since even the smallest error can have a significant impact on the entire system. Because of it, a lot of individuals and businesses can engage in activities that are morally wrong yet are nonetheless lawful. When a measure legalizing medical marijuana was passed by the Louisiana Senate in 2015, this is precisely what took place. The phrase “prescribe” was used in the law, which violated a federal law that forbade doctors from prescribing controlled narcotics.
To get around this problem, it took over a year until the term was changed to “recommend.” Following then, it took many more years for regulations protecting manufacturers, sellers, and patients to be passed. Just be aware that you must renew the prescription every 90 days if a licensed doctor does give it to you.
4. Universities Are Producing It
Currently, Louisiana State University and Southern University are the only locations where medical marijuana can be grown lawfully. This enables them to cultivate marijuana for research purposes as well as for medical users, which should lead to improved regulation in the future.
5. Smoking Or Vaping Medical Marijuana In Louisiana Is Not Permitted
The state has outlawed the usage of marijuana flowers to reduce the number of persons who would abuse the new system. Instead, a range of different methods, including oils, chewables, patches, lotions, and oils, can be used to give THC and CBD.
Learn The Law
Before recreational marijuana becomes legal in the federal government, medical marijuana is most likely to do so. More study is uncovering the many advantages it can provide patients to aid them with their problems as the societal stigmas surrounding it begins to fade. The use of medical marijuana in Louisiana is expected to increase over time.
Whatever the case, make sure you keep up your education about what is and isn’t permitted to avoid any future issues. Marijuana use, for instance, will cause your application to be rejected if you have a job that requires a federal clearance because it is still illegal.
