Consequences of Getting a Medical Card in Louisiana

Benefits of Having a Medical Marijuana Recommendation in Louisiana

Having a medical marijuana registration card in Louisiana has several benefits including the following:

Legal Protection

A medical marijuana recommendation in Louisiana gives immunity from prosecution for the medical use of marijuana by registered qualifying cannabis patients per Act 439. However, patients are not permitted to grow marijuana at home under state law. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and Southern University Agricultural Center are the only authorized producers (cultivators) of medical marijuana in the state as of 2023. Patients with medical marijuana recommendations are not required to carry it with them at all times except when in possession of marijuana within approved limits to avoid arrest. However, they must present their medical marijuana recommendations issued by board-certified Louisiana physicians in addition to state-issued identification cards in order to obtain cannabis prescriptions from licensed marijuana dispensaries/pharmacies.

Access for Minors

Louisiana allows minors diagnosed with medical conditions that qualify for medical marijuana treatments to enroll in the state’s Medical Marijuana Program and access cannabis legally. An authorized caregiver, such as a parent or legal guardian, may apply for an MMJ certificate on behalf of a minor patient who is under the age of 18.

Reciprocity

States such as Arkansas and Oklahoma that allow medical marijuana reciprocity recognize Louisiana’s medical marijuana recommendations. Hence, patients with medical cannabis recommendations from Louisiana can legally access medical marijuana products when visiting these states and others that permit them.

Employment Accommodation

Through House Resolution No. 269, Louisiana forbids employers from treating patients who use medical marijuana differently just because they do so. Employers are not allowed to refuse employment to individuals who use medical cannabis. Additionally, an employee who has a medical marijuana recommendation is covered from the consequences if they fail a drug test. Nonetheless, state law does not protect federal employees in Louisiana because marijuana is still prohibited at the federal level.

Downsides of Getting a Medical Marijuana Recommendation in Louisiana

The following are the disadvantages of getting a Louisiana medical marijuana recommendation:

Firearm Prohibition

In Louisiana, it is illegal for unlawful users of Schedule I drugs, like medical cannabis, to own, possess, buy, or receive firearms under federal law. Guns are off-limits to drug users, according to the Gun Control Act of 1968. A fine of up to ten years in federal prison is imposed for violating the provisions of this Act.

Driving Restrictions

It is unlawful for a person to drive while high on marijuana (DUI) in Louisiana, even with a medical marijuana recommendation. Operating a commercial vehicle under the influence of cannabis is also prohibited. It is illegal for drivers to have any trace of marijuana in their blood, regardless of whether they have a medical marijuana registration. Federal law even prohibits issuing Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) to marijuana users, including medical cannabis patients in Louisiana. Committing DUI offenses in the state may result in fines, jail time, or a license suspension.

Annual Renewal

A Louisiana medical cannabis recommendation is valid for one year. Registered MMJ patients are required to recertify their license by consulting a medical provider. While it is possible to renew medical marijuana registration in Louisiana online, patients still have to visit authorized healthcare providers to have their condition recertified, which adds a little inconvenience to the process. Nonetheless, in order to streamline the recertification procedure, patients can schedule telemedicine appointments. Healthcare professionals can be consulted for anywhere between $50 and $149 for new patients and renewals.

Federal Prohibitions

Louisiana law permits patients with certain conditions to use medical marijuana. However, marijuana is still regarded as a controlled substance under federal law. Federal employees in the state who are medical marijuana users face uncertainty regarding their employment rights as a result of this dichotomy. The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, which requires federal workplaces and non-federal workplaces with federal contracts to establish a clear workplace drug policy, including drug testing, is an important factor to take into account for federal employees. An MMJ cardholder who has stopped using marijuana for treatment may apply for federal employment. Federal employees in the state who obtain medical marijuana recommendations risk losing their appointments. However, a medical cannabis patient who has stopped using marijuana for treatment may be able to apply for federal employment in Louisiana. Patients living in houses that are federally subsidized are prohibited from possessing or consuming marijuana on the premises of such houses.