No. Recreational marijuana is illegal in Louisiana, but possessing 14 grams or less is punished only by a fine of up to $100, enforced by summons rather than arrest. Medical marijuana is legal for patients with a recommendation from a Louisiana clinician, including smokable flower of up to 2.5 ounces (71 grams) every 14 days, sold through state-permitted retailers.
This guide is for Louisiana residents, patients and visitors who want to know what is allowed, what the penalties are, and how the medical marijuana and hemp rules work. It reflects the law as of October 2026, with links to the statutes. It is general information, not legal advice.
Louisiana Cannabis Laws at a Glance
| Topic | The rule in Louisiana | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Illegal for recreational use; legal for patients with a clinician’s recommendation | La. R.S. 40:966; 40:1046 |
| 14 grams or less | Fine up to $100, any offense number; summons instead of arrest | La. R.S. 40:966(C)(2)(a) |
| More than 14 grams, first offense | Up to $500 fine, 6 months in parish jail, or both | La. R.S. 40:966(C)(2)(b) |
| Medical flower limit | 2.5 oz (71 g) of raw or crude marijuana per 14 days | La. R.S. 40:1046(A)(5) |
| Medical recommendation | From an authorized clinician; expires within 12 months | Louisiana Department of Health |
| Medical retailers | 10 base permits, up to 2 satellite locations each | LDH |
| Hemp products | 5 mg THC per serving, 40 mg per package; no hemp flower or vapes | La. R.S. 3:1483 |
| Driving | Operating while impaired by any drug is a crime | La. R.S. 14:98 |
| Regulator | Louisiana Department of Health | LDH |
Is Marijuana Legal in Louisiana?
Only for medical use. Louisiana has not legalized recreational marijuana, and possession outside the medical program is still a crime under La. R.S. 40:966. For small amounts, though, the penalty is a fine of up to $100 with no jail.
The medical program, set out in La. R.S. 40:1046, is broad. Clinicians may recommend raw or crude marijuana as well as other forms, and the list of conditions includes a catch-all for any condition a clinician considers debilitating. The Department of Health says retailers may provide medical marijuana to any patient with a valid recommendation from a Louisiana clinician.
Penalties for Marijuana Possession in Louisiana
Under La. R.S. 40:966(C)(2):
- 14 grams or less, any conviction: a fine of no more than $100. The law requires a summons instead of custodial arrest. If the person cannot pay, the court may allow installments or community service.
- More than 14 grams, first conviction: a fine of up to $500, up to 6 months in parish jail, or both.
- More than 14 grams, second conviction: a fine of up to $1,000, up to 6 months in parish jail, or both.
- More than 14 grams, third conviction: up to 2 years in prison, with or without hard labor, and a fine of up to $2,500.
- More than 14 grams, fourth or later: up to 8 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
A conviction under the first two tiers is not used to enhance a later sentence if the person stays free of marijuana convictions for two years after completing the sentence. That benefit applies only once.
Louisiana’s Medical Marijuana Program
Qualifying conditions under La. R.S. 40:1046(A)(2) include cancer, glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, Huntington’s disease, Lewy body dementia, motor neuron disease, Parkinson’s disease, spinal muscular atrophy, HIV, AIDS, cachexia or wasting syndrome, seizure disorders, epilepsy, spasticity, severe muscle spasms, intractable pain, Crohn’s disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, certain severe symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, concussion, chronic pain from fibromyalgia or sickle cell disease, and hospice or palliative care. A clinician may also recommend marijuana for any other condition they consider debilitating and are qualified to treat.
Flower limits: a retailer may not sell more than 2.5 ounces, or 71 grams, of raw or crude marijuana to a patient every 14 days. Retailers may not sell raw or crude marijuana to anyone under 21 unless the clinician specifically recommends that form.
Recommendations: any authorized clinician in good standing with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners or the Louisiana State Board of Nursing may issue one. Under rules summarized by the Louisiana Department of Health, a recommendation must carry an expiration date no more than 12 months after it is issued. No state agency keeps a directory of recommending clinicians.
Retailers and growers: Act 693 of 2024 moved regulation of medical marijuana retailers from the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to the Department of Health on January 1, 2025. Retail permits remain limited to 10 base sites with up to two satellite locations each, and each permit holder must designate a Louisiana-licensed pharmacist. Retailers may sell only products made by Louisiana’s licensed manufacturers, currently Ilera Holistic Healthcare and Good Day Farm Louisiana. Retailers may not deliver to addresses outside Louisiana. Act 150 of 2024 extended the program’s sunset date to 2030.
Hemp, Delta-8 and THCA in Louisiana
Under La. R.S. 3:1483, as amended by Act 752 of 2024 effective January 1, 2025, every consumable hemp product needs Department of Health registration and label approval, and:
- Non-beverage products may not exceed 5 mg of total THC per serving or 40 mg per package.
- Hemp beverages are limited to 5 mg per serving in containers of at least 12 ounces, with no more than four containers per package.
- Tinctures are limited to 1 mg of total THC per 1 mL serving, in bottles of no more than 1 ounce.
- The department may not approve floral hemp for retail sale or any inhalable hemp product, including vapes.
“Total THC” under La. R.S. 3:1481 counts THCA and any THC derivative, so THCA flower and delta-8 products fall under the same caps. Making or selling consumable hemp in violation of these rules is also unlawful under La. R.S. 40:966(A)(3).
Federal rules tighten further this year. A federal law signed November 12, 2025, caps finished hemp products at 0.4 mg total THC per container and excludes synthesized cannabinoids. Products with cannabinoids the plant cannot naturally produce, such as THC-O, lose hemp status November 12, 2026, and the rest, including delta-8 made from CBD, follows December 11, 2026. See our federal law guide.
Growing, Driving and Traveling
Home growing: not authorized. Medical products must come from the state’s licensed manufacturers through permitted retailers, and producing marijuana without authorization is unlawful under La. R.S. 40:966(A).
Driving: under La. R.S. 14:98, operating a vehicle, boat or aircraft while impaired by any drug is a crime. A first offense carries a fine of $300 to $1,000 and 10 days to 6 months in jail under La. R.S. 14:98.1.
Travel: taking marijuana across a state line or onto a plane is illegal under federal law, including medical marijuana bought in Louisiana.
What Changed in Louisiana Cannabis Law Recently
- Retail oversight (2025): the Department of Health took over medical marijuana retailers on January 1, 2025, and issued emergency rules on March 28, 2025, followed by a final rule published in January 2026.
- Hemp limits (2025): Act 752 of 2024 took effect January 1, 2025, banning hemp flower and vape sales and capping THC per serving and package.
- Federal rescheduling (2026): in April 2026 the Justice Department moved marijuana held under a state medical marijuana license to Schedule III. Recreational marijuana remains Schedule I.
Louisiana Marijuana Laws FAQ
Is weed legal in Louisiana?
Only for medical patients with a clinician’s recommendation. Recreational possession is illegal, but 14 grams or less carries only a fine of up to $100.
Is marijuana decriminalized in Louisiana?
Effectively, for small amounts. Possessing 14 grams or less is punished by a fine of no more than $100, enforced by summons, regardless of how many prior convictions you have.
Can you buy smokable flower in Louisiana?
Yes, with a medical recommendation. Retailers may sell up to 2.5 ounces (71 grams) every 14 days per patient.
How do you get medical marijuana in Louisiana?
The key document is a recommendation from an authorized Louisiana clinician, which expires within 12 months. The Department of Health says retailers may serve any patient with a valid recommendation.
Is THCA flower legal in Louisiana?
No. The state may not approve floral hemp for retail sale, and THCA counts toward hemp THC limits.
What happens if you get caught with more than 14 grams in Louisiana?
A first conviction carries up to a $500 fine and 6 months in jail. Penalties rise with each conviction, up to 8 years for a fourth or later offense.
More Cannabis Law Guides
Compare Louisiana with other states in our state-by-state cannabis law guides, read the latest on rescheduling in our federal marijuana law guide, or check neighboring Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi.
Neighboring state guides: Texas · Arkansas · Mississippi · All state cannabis laws
General information about Louisiana cannabis law as of October 2026, not legal advice.