Louisiana Medical Marijuana FAQs
Article written by
Jordan WoldSEO Content Writer
Content reviewed by
Dr. Lewis JasseyMedical Director - Pediatric Medicine
Are you considering applying for a Louisiana medical marijuana card but have questions about the process?
To help you make an informed decision, here is a list of Louisiana residents’ most frequently asked questions about the use, possession, and sale of medical cannabis.
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What Are the Benefits of Having a Medical Certification in Louisiana?
There are many benefits to getting certified for medical cannabis use in Louisana. Most notably, getting certified means you can legally access cannabis and cannabis products.
Although possessing less than 14 grams of cannabis is decriminalized in Louisana, getting a medical card is the only real way to ensure you have legal access to cannabis you need for medicinal purposes.
What Are the Requirements To Get a Medical Card in Louisiana?
To get a medical card in Louisana, patients must have one or more qualifying conditions and receive certification from a licensed doctor.
What Conditions Qualify for a Medical Card in Louisiana?
Current qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in Louisana include:
- AIDS/HIV
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Chronic or intractable pain
- Crohn’s disease
- Concussion diagnosed by an authorized clinician
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Hospice care/palliative care
- Huntington’s disease
- Lewy body dementia
- Motor neuron disease
- Muscular dystrophy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Seizure disorders
- Severe muscle spasms
- Sickle-cell anemia
- Spasticity
- Spinal muscular atrophy
- Traumatic brain injury
- Any condition where the consulting physician feels that medical cannabis may help
Where Do I Go To Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Louisiana?
To get a medical marijuana card in Louisiana, you must go to a doctor, in-person or online, who is certified in Louisana.
Can You Get a Louisiana Medical Card Online?
Yes, you can get a Louisiana medical card online. Louisana allows patients to use telehealth to receive certifications to get a medical card virtually. With Leafwell, your appointment could be as short as 10 minutes.
How Much Does a Medical Card Cost in Louisiana?
The state of Louisiana does not charge a fee for medical cards, but medical marijuana doctors will charge a consultation fee. Getting your med card through Leafwell costs $125, and you will get your money back if you are not approved.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Louisiana?
Because there are no physical cards in Louisana, your certifying physician will forward your recommendation to a pharmacy of your choice. You will be entirely approved by the time your pharmacist receives your certification. Your pharmacist can provide you with a copy of your certification if you would like.
For more information on how soon you can buy cannabis, you should ask your doctor during your appointment.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Louisiana?
You must be at least 18 years old if you apply for yourself. Minors can qualify for a medical marijuana certificate but must have parental consent.
Doctors who meet with minors with autism spectrum disorder must consult with a pediatric subspecialist.
Can I Walk Into a Dispensary Without a Card in Louisiana?
No, you cannot go into a Louisiana dispensary without a medical cannabis certification.
Louisana has no recreational cannabis sales, so you must be certified or a certified caregiver to enter and purchase cannabis from a dispensary.
How Do I Start My Louisiana Medical Marijuana Card Renewal?
The LA medical certification renewal process is similar to getting certified for medical cannabis. You will need to speak with a doctor and verify that you still have one or more qualifying conditions.
Renewing with the same doctor who provided your initial certification might be the fastest and easiest way, as they may still have your information on file.
How Do I Become a Medical Marijuana Caregiver in Louisiana?
Current guidelines for registering as a caregiver in Louisana are unclear for adults who are not parents to the minor patient. However, qualifying patients can contact their pharmacy for more information on caregiver authorization.
If you are a parent, you will need to sign off on your child receiving a medical marijuana certificate and will need to purchase cannabis on behalf of your child.
Can You Get a Medical Card With a Felony in Louisiana?
If you have one or more qualifying conditions, you can get certified for medical cannabis in Louisana, even with a felony.
Is Recreational Marijuana Legal in Louisiana?
While possession of less than 14 grams of cannabis is decriminalized in Louisana, recreational marijuana sales are still illegal in Louisana. Additionally, possession of more than 14 grams of cannabis can result in prison times and hefty fines.
Right now, the easiest and safest way to access cannabis products is by getting your med card.
If you are an adult in Louisana with a qualifying condition, you should speak to a doctor today about getting certified. At Leafwell, appointments are quick, and you’ll be paired with a caring physician ready to help you use cannabis to manage your condition and maintain a healthier life.
Make an appointment today to begin your wellness journey with cannabis.
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