La. Senate passes recriminalization bill

Terrible news. The Louisiana Senate passed HB 568 in a 23-10 vote. This bill, if signed into law, will make it a felony to use cannabis within 2,000 feet of any school property. It is worth noting that Gov. Jeff Landry (R) personally lobbied legislators very heavily to pass this bill. Members of the governor’s legislative team presented the bill with its sponsor in House and Senate committee hearings.

This is a significant development — and one that demands our attention.

If you live in Louisiana, ask Governor Landry to veto HB 568!

The reach of a 2,000-foot buffer zone is difficult to overstate. In densely populated areas, that radius can encompass entire neighborhoods, putting everyday residents who consume cannabis at risk of felony charges simply for being near a school. Felony convictions carry life-altering consequences: loss of employment, housing, voting rights, and more. Laws like this have historically been enforced unevenly, falling hardest on low-income communities and communities of color.

We believe in policies that are fair, evidence-based, and focused on actual public safety — not sweeping criminalization that traps ordinary people in the justice system.