Are you wondering how to open a cannabis dispensary in Louisiana? This page is dedicated to providing you with the most recent updates and relevant information regarding opening a cannabis business in Louisiana. This includes valuable insights into the state’s plans and upcoming developments. For hands-on guidance, Cannaspire’s Cannabis consultants work with operators at every stage.
In Louisiana, cannabis is allowed solely for medical purposes. Having 14 grams or fewer of cannabis for recreational use is not considered a criminal offense, but instead leads to a fine of not more than $100.
On April 10th, 2023, the 2023 session of the Louisiana State Legislature kicked off. Unfortunately, a sweeping bill, HB 24, seeking to legalize the recreational use of cannabis, tragically didn’t progress beyond the committee stage. The cannabis bills featured in the session include HB 17, HB 24, HB 612, and HB 620.
On June 19, 2024, House Bill 165 became law, decriminalizing marijuana paraphernalia and reducing penalties to a $100 fine. That same day, House Bill 391 was vetoed; the bill would have allowed pardons for certain cannabis possession convictions without requiring a recommendation from the Board of Pardons.
On January 20, 2026, the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Public Health adopted comprehensive rule changes governing the state’s medical marijuana program. The final regulations, effective immediately, update the Louisiana Administrative Code to implement legislation expanding the program. Notably, the rules transfer oversight of retail medical cannabis dispensaries from the Board of Pharmacy to LDH (creating a new “Marijuana Retailers” permit category), streamline product testing protocols, and revise definitions and terminology in the state sanitary code. These changes establish a clearer framework for licensing and operations, including provisions for additional retail permits, delivery services, and inventory tracking, which will impact existing licensees and prospective applicants in Louisiana’s growing medical cannabis market.
The cannabis opportunity in Louisiana has been on the rise ever since the program commenced back in 2019. While projections can vary and rely on a multitude of factors, the approximate medical cannabis sales of $400 million by 2025 as noted in the MJBizFactbook, point towards a considerable chance for growth within the industry in the state.
Louisiana first passed medical marijuana legislation in 1978 through Act No. 725, allowing its use for cancer and glaucoma patients. However, the Department of Health failed to implement the program. Another attempt was made in 1991 with Act No. 874 for glaucoma, chemotherapy patients, and those with spastic quadriplegia. The Department of Health missed the deadline to establish rules and their eventual implementation did not legalize medical marijuana.
In 2015, medical marijuana was once again legalized through Act No. 261 and a system for cultivation and distribution was established. The initial law listed the same three medical conditions as the 1991 Act. Amendments that followed added more eligible conditions, such as autism spectrum disorders, HIV/AIDS, and Parkinson’s disease. A list of qualifying conditions can be found here. Additionally, physicians can recommend medical marijuana for any condition they consider debilitating and are qualified to treat based on their medical education and training.
Only pharmacies that possess a valid marijuana pharmacy permit issued by the Board of Pharmacy are allowed to dispense marijuana for therapeutic purposes.
The operation of dispensaries in Louisiana is limited to specific regions designated by the Louisiana Department of Health. The state so far granted authorization for only nine locations to distribute medical cannabis.
Applications for a therapeutic marijuana pharmacy permit have currently closed since September 2022. We will update this section once applications open. However, while waiting, you can check out these factors taken into account by the Board’s Application Review Committee when evaluating applications:
Maryland Medical Cannabis License Types
Recreational cannabis remains prohibited in the state, but there has been a significant change in its legal status. Governor John Bel Edwards took action on June 15, 2021, by signing HB 652, a bill that decriminalized the possession of small quantities of marijuana. As a result, individuals found with less than 14 grams of cannabis will not face imprisonment but rather a $100 fine for each instance, regardless of whether it is their first or subsequent offense.
For the 2023 legislative session in Louisiana, several cannabis-related bills were introduced, but not all progressed successfully:
Several new cannabis bills were later introduced for the 2024 Legislative Session in Louisiana which include:
As Louisiana’s cannabis program grows in scope, we will keep you informed of any news and legislation regarding opening a dispensary in Louisiana. Subscribe to our Cannabis Mailing List below to receive relevant news, including hard-to-find news and insights based on Louisiana Legalization. Need to stay compliant after approval? That’s where our marijuana compliance consultants come in.
This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Just fill out the information below to get access.
Minnesota cannabis buildout guide: the 18-month clock, zoning and local registration, security rules, Metrc onboarding, and OCM inspection readiness.
What it takes to fund a Virginia cannabis business before the February 2027 application window — capital stack, investor structures, CCA disclosure rules, and 280E math.
How hemp operators move into licensed cannabis before the federal 0.4 mg THC cap takes effect: the four realistic paths, what transfers, and what to do in the next 90 days.
