Louisiana

Equity Project State Briefing

Social Equity

Social Equity Definition / Criteria

Louisiana does not offer a state social equity program to benefit medical cannabis licensees who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.

Social Equity Provisions

Louisiana does not offer a state social equity program to benefit medical cannabis licensees who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.

Fee Waivers and Reductions

  • Fee Waivers / Reductions:
No

Louisiana does not offer fee waivers or reductions to support medical cannabis licensees who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.

Other Financial Support for Social Equity Applicants and Licensees

Louisiana does not offer state level funding to support medical cannabis licensees who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.

License Priorities and Set Asides

  • License Priorities / Set Asides:
No

Louisiana does not offer state-level licensing priority or set-asides to support medical cannabis licensees who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.

Other Licensing Provisions

License Caps

  • License Caps:
Yes

Louisiana is a limited license state and has a medical use licensing cap of 1 production license and 10 marijuana pharmacy licenses. Local jurisdictions are not permitted to opt in or out of participation in the market.

Source:

La. Admin. Code tit.46 § LIII.2445. Subsection (G). Marijuana Pharmacy Permit
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1046. Subsection (J)(2)

Application Selection Process

  • Selection System:
Merit

Louisiana distributes medical cannabis licenses through a merit system.

Source:

La. Admin. Code tit.46 § LIII.2445. Marijuana Pharmacy Permit. Subsection (J)
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1046. Subsection (J)(4)(a)

Felony Disqualification on Ownership

  • Ownership Exclusion for Felony Convictions:
Yes
  • Exemption for Cannabis Offenses:
No

Louisiana medical framework disqualifies applicants for cannabis licensure on the basis of certain convictions. The department will not grant a license or employee permit to any person who has been convicted of theft, fraud, violence or schedule I drug convictions including cannabis. Additionally, the department will not grant a license to anyone with a conviction for an offense that is punishable by imprisonment of more than one year.

Source:

La. Admin. Code tit.7 § XLIX.513 . Subsection (c)(1) Eligibility Suitability Standards

Employee Criminal Records

  • Conviction Restrictions for Employees:
Yes
  • Exemption for Cannabis Offenses:
No

Louisiana’s medical use sector has restrictions disqualifying potential employees with certain convictions. The department will not grant an employee permit to any person who has been convicted of theft, fraud, violence or schedule I drug convictions including cannabis. Additionally, the department will not grant an employee permit to anyone with a conviction for an offense punishable by imprisonment of more than one year.

Source:

La. Admin. Code tit.7 § XLIX.513. Subsection (c)(1) Eligibility Suitability Standards
La. Admin. Code tit.7 § XLIX.523. Employee Permits Required

Availability of Expungements

  • Expungements:
Yes, Not Automatic

Yes. Louisiana offers record cleaning remedies for certain cannabis convictions, however, this process is not automatic and requires action from the individual. Individuals with felony convictions related to possession or intent to distribute a controlled substance may ask the court to expunge their records after 10 years so long as they do not have any new convictions within that 10 year period.

Source:

La. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. § art.978. Subsection B. (3)(c)
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:966.