The use of medical marijuana in Louisiana is now legal! The state opened its first dispensary in August 2019. Recognizing that medical marijuana can help many people cope with their chronic illnesses, Louisiana followed in the footsteps of the many other states that have seen great success with the legalization of cannabis for medical use.
So that more people can gain access to the treatment, the Louisiana MMJ program continues to expand, with more qualifying conditions added to the list as well as more cannabis included under the MMJ umbrella. If you’re wondering “How can I get a medical marijuana card in Louisiana?”, wonder no more – we’ve got all the info you need below.
Is it hard to get a medical marijuana card in Louisiana?
Just like any other state, there’s a specific process you’ll need to undertake to get a medical marijuana card in Louisiana. The first is qualifying for MMJ based on the qualified conditions list.
There are various conditions that qualify for medical marijuana use, including:
- Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Concussion
- Wasting syndrome
- Huntington’s disease
- Lewy-body dementia
- Motor-neuron disease
- Intractable pain
- Palliative or hospice
- Muscular dystrophy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Non-epileptic seizures and other seizure disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal muscular atrophy
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Severe muscle spasm
- Spasticity
Physicians in Louisiana can also prescribe medical marijuana to any patient with any debilitating disease if they feel it can help in treatment and symptom relief.
If you’re looking to gain access to medical marijuana, you must show proof of residency in the state, such as an ID card or a driver’s license. The process to get the card involves:
- Getting diagnosed
- Having a doctor review your condition and recommend medical cannabis as treatment
- Scheduling an evaluation in which you’ll go over your health history and any documents pertaining to your condition
Once approved, you’ll receive a Louisiana medical marijuana card and will be able to purchase your medicine from the state’s dispensaries.
Can you get a medical card online in Louisiana?
It is possible to apply and be approved for a medical marijuana card online in Louisiana. You will have to speak to a certified doctor who can provide you with an online consultation. There are various online services that can provide access to an online application in the state of Louisiana.
When applying online, make sure that the service is legitimate. It may be helpful to contact your state department prior to applying online to ensure you are paying the consultation fee for an approved service.
What are the benefits of getting a medical marijuana card?
Medical marijuana has been shown to be effective at helping people manage many chronic diseases. A Louisiana MMJ card also gives you access to the best type and quality of cannabis that would most benefit your specific condition.
Since there are a variety of strains available, dispensaries will be able to assist you with finding the best kind of MMJ for you so that you can effectively manage your symptoms.
What rules do I have to follow to use my medical marijuana card in Louisiana?
The Louisiana Therapeutic Marijuana Act outlines the laws surrounding the use of medical marijuana in the state. It states that patients must receive a recommendation from their doctor and have a condition that qualifies. It also states that only one dispensary per region is allowed to provide access to medical marijuana.
Each Louisiana MMJ patient can receive up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis every two weeks for their specific condition. Amounts may vary depending on your condition and needs, however, and your doctor’s recommendations will play a role in the amount of cannabis you have access to. Up until recently, medical marijuana could not be smoked in Louisiana, but that law changed on January 1st, 2022.
The laws surrounding the use of medical marijuana continue to transform and change as more information becomes clear about the use of MMJ, who it can benefit, and how people’s lives affected when they have access to this kind of medicine.
The process to get a medical marijuana card in Louisiana is simple and straightforward, making it that much easier for the people who need it to gain access to MMJ. If you’re a resident of the state with a qualifying condition, why not apply for a medical marijuana card in Louisiana today?
Featured image by Joe Lavigne on Unsplash