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

24 September 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.
• 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.

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)

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 and Council President Helena Moreno. 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.”

Silence From Others

The remaining candidates — Joe Bikulege, Russell Butler, Eileen Carter, Manny Chevrolet, Renada Collins, Frank Janusa, Oliver Thomas, and Ricky Twiggs — have not publicly addressed cannabis policy.

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.

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.