The Louisiana Medical Marijuana Program
Reviewed by Dr. Shatha Atiya, PsyD. Updated August 13, 2026
Welcome to the best guide on the Louisiana Medical Marijuana Program!
By the end of this page, you will have the answers to these questions:
- How do I apply for a medical marijuana card in Louisiana?
- What should I know about the Louisiana medical marijuana program?
- Which Louisiana marijuana laws are necessary to know?
This guide is based on current Louisiana statutes, Louisiana Department of Health medical marijuana regulations, and official guidance from the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. So, you can trust that you are reading an accurate and up-to-date resource. Let’s proceed.
Looking for a Medical Marijuana Doctor?
How do I Get Medical Marijuana in Louisiana?
Getting medical marijuana in Louisiana is simple if you meet the state’s eligibility requirements. With Quick Med Cards, you can complete your evaluation online and receive your medical marijuana recommendation from a licensed cannabis doctor without leaving your home.
Follow these steps to get medical marijuana in Louisiana:
- Book an appointment with one of our licensed cannabis doctors in Louisiana who can evaluate your eligibility for medical marijuana.
- Attend your online medical marijuana evaluation through a secure video consultation.
- If approved, your licensed cannabis doctor will provide your medical marijuana recommendation and send it to your selected Louisiana medical marijuana retailer.
- Once your recommendation is processed, you can purchase medical marijuana products from a licensed Louisiana retailer.
Find out more about who qualifies for medical marijuana in Louisiana.
What Documents Do I Need for a Louisiana Medical Marijuana Evaluation?
When scheduling an appointment with one of our doctors in Louisiana, you should upload the following documents:
- A valid government-issued photo ID.
- Proof of Louisiana residency, if applicable.
- Medical records (optional but recommended to help your clinician evaluate your condition).
Get your cannabis recommendation from one of our Louisiana medical marijuana doctors near you.
When did the Louisiana Medical Marijuana Program Start?
The Louisiana Medical Marijuana Program has evolved since the state enacted its first therapeutic marijuana legislation in 1978. Over the years, legislative updates expanded patient access, increased available product options, and established a regulated system for licensed medical marijuana retailers.
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) now oversees the therapeutic marijuana program and regulates manufacturers and licensed retailers. On January 1, 2025, LDH took over production oversight from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) and assumed retailer oversight from the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy continues to issue the Schedule I therapeutic marijuana authorizations that clinicians require to recommend medical marijuana.
Unlike many medical marijuana programs across the country, patients do not apply directly through a state registration system. Instead, a licensed cannabis doctor provides a medical marijuana recommendation that is sent to the patient’s selected licensed retailer. Patients do not receive a state-issued medical marijuana card and are not required to complete a separate state registration process.
The program does not rely on a fixed list of qualifying conditions. A licensed cannabis doctor may recommend medical marijuana for a clinically diagnosed condition considered debilitating, as long as the doctor is qualified through education and training to treat that condition and has established a bona fide doctor-patient relationship with the patient.
Access to raw or smokable cannabis has also expanded in recent years. Eligible patients may purchase up to 2.5 ounces, or 71 grams, of raw or crude marijuana during any 14-day period. Patients under 21 may only obtain raw or crude marijuana if a licensed cannabis doctor specifically recommends that form. The therapeutic marijuana program is currently scheduled to continue until July 1, 2030, unless extended by lawmakers.
Through ongoing legislative and regulatory changes, the program continues to evolve to improve patient access, maintain oversight, and support the availability of medical marijuana products.
Speak with Our Medical Marijuana Doctor Today
Same-day appointments available.
Louisiana Marijuana Laws
Patients with a medical marijuana recommendation should be aware of these Louisiana laws:
- Patients may purchase up to 2.5 ounces, or 71 grams, of raw or crude marijuana during a 14-day period.
- Patients under 21 may only obtain raw or crude marijuana if specifically recommended by a licensed cannabis doctor.
- Home cultivation is illegal. Patients must purchase medical marijuana from licensed Louisiana retailers.
- Only approved medical marijuana products and dosage forms may be used. Metered-dose inhalers are allowed, while separate laws restrict where marijuana can be smoked or vaped.
- Raw or smokable medical marijuana became legal in Louisiana on January 1, 2022, under HB 391 (Act 424 of 2021).
Where to get medical marijuana in Louisiana – Louisiana dispensaries
Patients with an active medical marijuana recommendation can purchase medical marijuana products from licensed Louisiana medical marijuana retailers. Louisiana allows up to 10 primary retail permits, with approved satellite locations available throughout the state.
Because retailer names and locations may change, patients should check the Louisiana Department of Health’s current medical marijuana retailer information for the most up-to-date list of licensed retailers.
What type of medical marijuana is available in Louisiana?
Patients with a medical marijuana recommendation can access medicinal cannabis in different forms. For instance, tinctures, concentrates, extracts, oils, creams, lotions, inhalants, edibles, sprays, capsules, pills, liquefied oral cannabis products, transdermal patches, suppositories, and raw cannabis flower. Smokable cannabis was made available from January 1, 2022, after the legislature and governor approved administration via smoking.
Key Takeaways
- The Louisiana Department of Health oversees the state’s medical cannabis program.
- A Louisiana medical marijuana doctor must recommend cannabis before you can access MMJ in the state.
- No state fee is required for accessing medical marijuana in Louisiana.
- Louisina patients can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of raw or crude marijuana every 14 days.
Common Questions About the Louisiana Medical Marijuana Program
Below are the answers to common questions about the Louisiana Medical Marijuana Program.
Can you buy medical marijuana in Louisiana?
Yes. Patients with an active medical marijuana recommendation can purchase medical marijuana products from licensed Louisiana medical marijuana retailers. Louisiana allows up to 10 primary retail permits, with approved satellite locations available throughout the state.
Patients can access products such as tinctures, concentrates, oils, edibles, topicals, inhalants, and raw cannabis. Patients under 21 may only obtain raw or crude marijuana if specifically recommended by a licensed cannabis doctor.
How does medical marijuana work in Louisiana?
Access to medical marijuana is simple in Louisiana because patients do not need to apply for a medical card like in many other states.
Instead, patients need a medical marijuana recommendation from a licensed cannabis doctor. Once approved, the recommendation is sent to a licensed Louisiana medical marijuana retailer, where patients can purchase their medicine.
Will I be able to grow medical marijuana at home?
No. Growing medical marijuana at home is illegal, even for patients with a recommendation.
Patients should obtain their medicine from licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in Louisiana.
Can you smoke or vape medical marijuana in Louisiana?
Yes. Smokable medical marijuana is legal in Louisiana for eligible patients after the passage of HB 391.
Patients should use only medical marijuana products approved by the Louisiana Department of Health and sold through licensed retailers. Metered-dose inhalers are specifically allowed, while separate laws restrict smoking or vaping marijuana in certain locations.
What is a metered-dose inhaler?
A metered-dose inhaler is a device that delivers a specific amount of medication to the lungs (think a regular inhaler).
Patients can self-administer their medicine via inhalation in the form of short bursts.