Exclusive Q&A: New Orleans Mayoral Candidates on Cannabis Reform and Legalization

Published: 24 September 2025

Updated: 7 October 2025

The New Orleans mayoral primary is October 11, 2025, with a runoff on November 15 if needed.

Key Points

• Royce Duplessis: Legalization means revenue, fairness, and expungement. Supports reforms to cut costs and bureaucracy in medical cannabis.
• Helena Moreno: Author of New Orleans decriminalization law, pardoned thousands of convictions. Frames legalization as civil-rights and economic opportunity.
• Ricky Twiggs: Supports full adult-use legalization and medical access for children. Would earmark cannabis tax revenue for schools, mental health and senior care, regulate like alcohol, and prioritize local ownership.
• Remaining candidates: Silent on cannabis reform - for now.

Louisiana’s Shifting Cannabis Landscape

Medical cannabis is legal in Louisiana, but tightly regulated through a pharmacy system. Costs remain high, patient registration is cumbersome, and adult-use cannabis is still prohibited. Possession of small amounts has been decriminalized statewide since 2021, with New Orleans going further by creating automatic pardons. New Orleans’ 2021 ordinances pardoned roughly 10,000 municipal simple-possession cases and ended penalties for small-amount possession in the city, policy changes authored and championed by then-Council President Helena Moreno.

Now, Rep. Matthew Newell has filed House Bill 627, the “Adult-Use Cannabis Pilot Program,” which would allow limited recreational sales beginning in 2026. The bill would run until 2029, using existing medical operators as the test market.

Public opinion is shifting quickly. A 2013 poll found just 53% support for legalization. By 2023, LSU recorded 70% in favor. As of mid 2025, LouisianaStateCannabis.org’s poll saw more than 85 % of respondents favoring recreational legalization - with some restrictions (Take a poll). As of October 6, 2025, HB 627 has been read and referred to the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice, with no floor vote yet.

Candidate Comparison: Cannabis Policy in the 2025 New Orleans Mayoral Race

Exclusive Candidate Responses

We obtained exclusive answers from the only two candidates to address cannabis directly: State Sen. Royce Duplessis, Council President Helena Moreno, and Richard Twiggs. Their verbatim responses are reproduced below. (Note: As we move further into the election season, other responses or additions to the current responses may be made.)

ROYCE-DUPLESSIS - Q&A

On adult-use legalization:

• “I fully support the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Louisiana. Legalization offers an opportunity to generate new revenue, reduce the burden on our criminal justice system, and bring long-overdue justice to communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. Any retail access must be carefully regulated and taxed; however, licenses for dispensaries should be awarded with an eye toward social equity and fairness, rather than favoring political insiders.”

On the medical cannabis program:

• “Louisiana’s medical cannabis program has been a step forward, but it remains too costly and too cumbersome for many patients. I support reforms that expand access, lower costs, and streamline the system, allowing patients to receive the treatment they need without unnecessary hurdles.”

On patient registration:

• “Yes, I support simplifying or even removing the registration process for long-term patients. If someone has a qualifying condition, they should not be required to navigate bureaucratic hurdles year after year to access their medication.”

On protecting patients:

• “Medical cannabis patients deserve the same protections as any other patient. I support clear rules preventing discrimination in employment, housing, and parental rights cases.”

On past convictions:

• “We cannot move forward on cannabis policy without addressing the harm of past convictions. I support reforms to expunge prior cannabis-related offenses and ensure those who were most impacted by prohibition can participate in the new legal market.”

On equity:

• “Social equity must be at the center of any adult-use cannabis market. That means prioritizing licenses and resources for communities most harmed by prohibition, creating pathways for small businesses, and making sure legalization does not simply enrich a handful of political insiders or large corporations.”

On public health and safety:

• “My administration would support public education campaigns, strong age restrictions, and sensible enforcement. At the same time, adults must be respected in their right to make their own choices, and patients must not face unnecessary stigma.”

On experience:

• “As a legislator, I have heard firsthand from constituents about how cannabis has helped them manage pain, anxiety, and chronic conditions when other medications failed. I have also seen how outdated cannabis laws have saddled young people, especially young Black men, with records that follow them for life. These stories have shaped my conviction that it is time for Louisiana to move forward with real cannabis reform.”

HELENA MORENO - Q&A

On adult-use legalization:

• “The war on drugs, for a long time, has simply been a war on Black and brown people. I do support legalizing adult-use cannabis in a well-regulated and taxed market, which gives local people in communities most affected by the war on drugs the first shot at opportunities in this new industry. Indeed, I wrote the law to fully decriminalize local simple possession of cannabis to help focus law enforcement on major crime.”

On medical cannabis:

• “I have been a leader on medical cannabis since my time in the legislature, where I authored the original law that allowed patients to get what they need. Then and now, I am for removing barriers and simplifying the registration process so the people who need medical cannabis can get it. It would be much simpler if adult-use cannabis were just legal, so all the bureaucratic problems, cost burdens, and complexity would be limited, if not eliminated. However, this is not under the mayor’s purview. Still, I wish it were, because we could do amazing things to create jobs and promote an industry with a whole ecosystem of support industries around cultivation, operations, banking, sales, and, of course, snacks.”

On registration reform:

• “Like I said, I wrote the original law that allowed medical cannabis in Louisiana. I am for removing barriers and simplifying the registration process so the people who need medical cannabis can get it.”

On discrimination:

• “Medical cannabis is a legitimate treatment for a variety of ailments; no one should face discrimination because of the medications they take. That said, we do need to prioritize children’s safety, and the use of cannabis in their presence is undoubtedly a problem due to its psychotropic effects.”

On past convictions:

• “Convictions for possession of cannabis should be expunged, unless there are additional charges related to violence or illegal weapon possession. I worked to pardon over 10,000 municipal cannabis convictions and created a prospective pardon, legalizing small amounts for personal use under city law. Furthermore, the state already has permissive expungement laws, but not many people are aware of them. As mayor, I will raise awareness and assist individuals who may be eligible by helping them file the necessary paperwork to have appropriate charges removed from their records. This could help thousands of our people move beyond their mistakes and look to a brighter future.”

On equity:

• “Equity for those individuals who have personally suffered should be a primary goal of any new regulations on adult-use cannabis. For years, the war on drugs has been waged primarily on Black and brown communities, with nearly all arrests and summonses issued for weed being given to Black people, mostly Black males. Those individuals and communities that were targeted and destroyed should now reap the benefits of legalization first and foremost. So, if there are retail opportunities, grow licensing, or incentives, they should benefit Black communities.”

On health and safety:

• “It has been shown that cannabis has a very negative impact on the still-developing brains of young people. I would make the legal age for cannabis the same as alcohol. As for driving impairment, this is a problematic issue because, unlike alcohol, there is no breathalyzer test for cannabis, and it can impair drivers. However, several groups are working on developing such technology, and it should be utilized in cases of impaired driving. We could help reduce the number of impaired driving incidents with technology like this in our city. There are also field sobriety tests that can be and should be conducted with additional training likely needed at the NOPD.”

On experience:

• “Decriminalization in New Orleans has been my main experience with cannabis. It had been talked about for literally generations, but with me way out front, we got it done. Before that, I was moved by the gravely ill patients who came to advocate at the legislature for medical cannabis. I have been in this fight for freedom and justice for some time now. Overall, this mistaken policy has taken its toll, as thousands of people have seen their dreams cut down to size after being charged with possession. Or the many more who suffer from ailments that could be helped by medical cannabis, if only they had access.”

RICKY TWIGGS JR. - Q&A

On adult-use legalization:

• “Yes, I support the full legalization of adult-use cannabis in Louisiana and medical use for children. The criminalization of cannabis has drained resources, devastated families, and fueled mass incarceration without making our communities safer. Legalization presents an opportunity not just to correct these wrongs, but to build a responsible and equitable market that directly benefits our people. I believe the taxes collected from cannabis sales should be earmarked for public education, mental health services, and senior living facilities. We should focus on areas that have been chronically underfunded in Louisiana. Regulation should follow the model of alcohol and tobacco: licensed retailers, strict age limits, and oversight to ensure safe products. My approach would also prioritize local ownership of dispensaries and cultivation facilities, preventing out-of-state corporations from dominating the market. By tying revenue directly to schools, health care, and elder care, we can ensure legalization lifts up every generation of Louisianans. Cannabis should not just be a business. Cannabis should be a tool to heal communities and reinvest in the future of our state.”

On the medical cannabis program:

• “Louisiana’s medical cannabis program has taken steps forward, but it remains too restrictive, too expensive, and too confusing for patients. Many residents who could benefit from cannabis for chronic pain, PTSD, cancer, or other conditions are either priced out or stuck navigating a burdensome approval process. To me, medicine should never be a privilege, it should be accessible. I would support reforms to reduce costs by expanding the number of licensed cultivators, allowing competition to drive down prices, and permitting more dispensaries across the state. Patients on disability, veterans, and those with terminal illnesses should be automatically fast-tracked for approval to eliminate needless barriers. We should also encourage insurance models to eventually cover medical cannabis, treating it like any other prescription. The program today often feels designed to protect profits, not patients. I want to see a system where access is simple, affordable, and compassionate because healing should not depend on income or geography.”

On patient registration:

• “Yes, I would strongly support reforms to reduce unnecessary burdens on medical cannabis patients. For people with long-term conditions, it makes little sense to force them through an endless cycle of renewals and paperwork just to continue the care that keeps them stable. My proposal would be to eliminate annual registration requirements for patients with permanent or chronic conditions, replacing them with a one time approval and doctor oversight as needed. We should also expand telemedicine options to make it easier for patients in rural areas to get certified without traveling hours to see a physician. The role of government should be to support health, not create red tape. Streamlining access to medical cannabis is not about cutting corners, it’s about treating patients with dignity and recognizing that once a doctor has deemed cannabis medically necessary, patients shouldn’t face bureaucratic hurdles year after year. Simplification means compassion.”

On protecting patients:

• “Cannabis patients in Louisiana deserve the same rights and protections as anyone using doctor-prescribed medicine. No one should lose a job, their housing, or custody of their children because they are treating a medical condition with cannabis. Yet, without explicit legal protections, too many patients remain vulnerable. I would fight for comprehensive anti-discrimination laws that protect medical cannabis users in employment, housing, and parental rights cases. Just as employers cannot fire someone for taking insulin or pain medication prescribed by a doctor, they should not punish patients for using cannabis responsibly. This is about consistency, fairness, and basic civil rights. Additionally, I would push for state agencies to update their policies to reflect these protections, ensuring uniform enforcement. Patients should never have to choose between their health and their livelihood. Protecting them is not only a matter of justice it is a moral obligation.”

On past convictions:

• “The war on cannabis has left deep scars across Louisiana. Thousands of people, disproportionately Black and working class, carry convictions that limit their ability to work, vote, or secure housing, even though the very behavior they were punished for is now decriminalized in many places. My administration would prioritize automatic expungement of nonviolent cannabis convictions and work to clear the records of those still suffering from outdated laws. This should not be a costly, complicated process; it should be streamlined and state-funded. Beyond expungement, we must create re-entry programs that specifically help individuals with past cannabis convictions gain access to jobs in the new legal industry, housing assistance, and educational opportunities. Cannabis justice is not just about legalization; it’s about repairing harm. The people most impacted by prohibition must be the first to benefit from reform. Louisiana cannot claim progress until we undo the injustices of the past.”

On equity:

• “Social justice must be at the heart of Louisiana’s adult-use cannabis market. Without deliberate protections, legalization risks becoming another industry dominated by wealthy investors while the communities most harmed by prohibition are left behind. I would support a licensing structure that prioritizes local entrepreneurs, especially those from communities disproportionately affected by cannabis arrests. A percentage of licenses should be reserved for minority-owned businesses, family-owned farms, and worker cooperatives to ensure the benefits of legalization circulate locally. Additionally, revenue from cannabis sales should fund grants and low-interest loans for these small businesses to thrive. Justice also means ensuring job training, union protections, and living wages in the cannabis industry. Louisiana has a chance to do legalization differently; not as a corporate land grab, but as a community-driven model that repairs harm, builds wealth, and keeps profits in our neighborhoods. Justice is not an afterthought; it is the foundation.”

On public health and safety:

• “Protecting public health while respecting adult autonomy requires balance and smart regulation. On impaired driving, I support strong enforcement, but that must come with fair testing standards rooted in science, not outdated or inaccurate methods. For youth access, the same guardrails we use for alcohol and tobacco should apply: strict ID checks, penalties for businesses that sell to minors, and public education campaigns that focus on prevention, not fearmongering. At the same time, adults deserve autonomy over their health and wellness choices. Education is critical: ensuring people understand dosage, safe storage, and potential risks, especially around mixing cannabis with alcohol or prescription drugs. We should also expand funding for research through universities to study cannabis use in Louisiana specifically. Public safety should never be a smokescreen to deny reform, it should be addressed directly with thoughtful policies. Done right, legalization can coexist with strong public health protections.”

On experience:

• “My views on cannabis reform are informed by both my professional work and my lived experience as a New Orleanian. As a licensed professional counselor, I’ve seen firsthand how untreated trauma and chronic pain drive people toward unsafe coping mechanisms, while medical cannabis has provided relief and stability for many who were failed by traditional systems. I also carry the perspective of someone who lived through Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, watching as our mental health and medical infrastructure collapsed. Communities turned to what was available, and often cannabis was one of the only consistent sources of relief. Yet too many were criminalized for using it. That contradiction has stayed with me. My campaign has always centered on mental health and justice, and cannabis reform sits squarely at the intersection of both. I believe it’s time to build a system rooted in compassion, justice, and healing. These values are shaped by the struggles I’ve witnessed and shared in my own city.”

Silence From Others

Several candidates previously declined to comment. Since publication, independent candidate Ricky Twiggs Jr. has provided comprehensive positions that align with adult-use legalization, medical access reform, equity licensing and expungement. We continue to seek on-the-record answers from Joe Bikulege, Russell Butler, Eileen Carter, Manny Chevrolet, Renada Collins, Frank Janusa, Oliver Thomas and others.

How Your Vote Could Shape New Orleans Cannabis Policy

Should New Orleans continue leading Louisiana in cannabis reform, or hand the mayor’s office to a candidate who avoids the issue?

The mayor cannot legalize cannabis, but can direct police priorities, shape expungement practices, and help position New Orleans for the economic opportunities a statewide legalization program could bring.

For pro-reform voters, the choice is clear: two candidates with detailed, unambiguous commitments versus a silent field. With HB 627 in committee and city leaders signaling divergent approaches, the next mayor’s priorities on policing, expungements and local-ownership incentives could meaningfully shape how a pilot program lands in New Orleans.

Editor’s Note:

This article includes the only on-record responses we have received so far from candidates on cannabis policy. We welcome additional comments, clarifications, or policy statements from all candidates in the 2025 New Orleans mayoral election. Campaigns may contact us to provide further information for their constituents.

HOW TO VOTE

The New Orleans mayoral primary is October 11, 2025.

​Early voting for the October 11 election is Sept. 27-Oct. 4 (Except Sun., Sept. 28). Click here to find your early voting site.

For details on polling locations, visit the Secretary of State’s website.