Louisiana Marijuana Pharmacy Licensing and Regulations

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Governor John Bel Edwards approved ten new cannabis bills in June including one measure that would expand the number of dispensaries (marijuana pharmacies) in Louisiana. The Department of Health will now oversee cannabis licensing and regulations in Louisiana. The measures will take effect on August 1, 2022. Louisiana currently has 30,000 registered patients according to NORML.

 Louisiana Marijuana Pharmacy Licenses

House Bill 697 increases the number of marijuana pharmacy licenses from ten to thirty. Current licensees may open a “satellite” location if the original dispensary location reaches 3,500 patients. If the satellite location also reaches 3,500 registered patients, a second satellite location is permitted to open. If any location drops below 3,5000 patients, licensees will not lose their licenses or locations. All satellite marijuana pharmacies must be in the same region as the original location.

No more than three total locations/licenses per each operator are allowed. If a current licensee opts out of opening a second or third location, the state will issue a new license to a new operator. The state “shall consider the status of an applicant as minority, woman, or veteran owned business” as a primary factor in awarding a new license.

 Louisiana Marijuana Pharmacy Locations

Louisiana marijuana pharmacy locations are divided into ten regions. Each region houses one license; however, the board will consider unserved parishes when approving satellite and additional locations. Marijuana pharmacies must be located at least fifteen miles away from one another with two exceptions. If a parish has a population of over 350,000 people, dispensary locations must be at least ten miles away from one another. If a municipality has over 350,000 people, marijuana pharmacies are allowed to be located within a five-mile radius of one another.

Louisiana Cannabis Industry

Louisiana cannabis cultivation licenses are currently unavailable. Louisiana contracts with LSU Agricultural Center and Southern University Agricultural Center to supply all medical cannabis to marijuana pharmacies in the state. All cannabis progress in Louisiana is welcome, as “smokable cannabis” was legalized in January of 2022. To learn more about cannabis licensing in Louisiana, contact a Global Go consultant today.