Louisiana legislature has convened!

As Louisiana begins the 2025 legislative session, now is the time to communicate with your state legislators about cannabis policy reform.

If you live in Louisiana, let your state legislators know you want them to legalize cannabis for adults' use.

Lawmakers have introduced several cannabis policy reforms. Two of the bills further our longer-term goal of legalization: HB627 would create a three-year pilot program for the adult-use cannabis industry, including legalizing the possession and authorized distribution of cannabis, and HB636 would set up the tax structure for adult-use cannabis. Those revenues would be allocated, in part, to increasing teacher's salaries.

On a separate note, HB384 would make the penalties for possession of cannabis products in schools more reasonable. We do not advocate for allowing the use of cannabis products for persons under 21 years of age (outside of the medical program). However, the current punishment is beyond draconian — any violation (of any illegal substance) results in a four-semester suspension. Under HB384, a first-time violation for a cannabis product starts with a ten-hour substance abuse class, while the second violation would result in a half-semester suspension, and a third violation would result in a full-semester suspension. This is a far more proportionate approach.

Together, we will continue to work to make Louisiana the first state in the South to end cannabis prohibition legislatively. We are also working with allies to improve the medical program and will let you know as details emerge.