Louisiana legalizes medicinal cannabis

Louisiana legalizes medical cannabis. A significant step toward the end of the ban on this plant, Medical cannabis is now legal in half of the U.S. states. On Thursday, May 19, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law the bill that the state Senate had passed on Monday, May 16.

 «This is one of those bills that, I believe, will have a positive impact on the people who need it most,» said John Bel Edwards, Governor of Louisiana

Patients will be able to obtain the drug from specialized dispensaries but will not be allowed to grow their own crops. The senators were determined to avoid a situation like California's where a simple Skype call with a doctor affiliated with the clinic would give you access to the necessary prescriptions.

Patients with conditions such as cancer, HIV, glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy will be able to access various types of medical cannabis with a doctor’s prescription. One small caveat, however, is that the products available on the market will not be smokable in order to prevent cheating.

Louisiana residents will have to wait a little longer, however, as the state has not yet resolved the logistical issues. For now, it is unclear which company will grow the cannabis for dispensaries. If the State Council opts for private companies, Louisiana will be the first Southern state to launch a cannabis industry.

Earlier this month, Governor Edwards stated that he did not want to hear anything about legalizing recreational cannabis and that he preferred a science-based approach through doctors. «I don’t think the government should interfere in decisions made between patients and doctors.».

For opponents, the legalization of cannabis oil is a step toward full legalization in the long term. For now, Louisiana has given itself a year and a half to implement this program.

Théo Caillart