Louisiana Governor Signs Bill Protecting Medical Cannabis Patients and Caregivers from Prosecution
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has signed Senate Bill 180 into law, protecting medical cannabis patients and caregivers from criminal prosecution.
Under the new law, which goes into effect on August 1st, patients who are part of the state’s medical cannabis program would be protected from laws that penalize people for possession or distribution of cannabis. It also extends that protection to a patient’s caregiver and the parents of a minor who receives and administers medical cannabis.
The bill was introduced by Republican Senator Fred Mills; it was passed in the Senate 29 to 7, and in the House of Representatives 67 to 21.
According to state estimates, Louisiana is still roughly 18 months or more away from their medical cannabis program being at a point where patients have medicine in-hand.
