Source: http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/medical-marijuana/
Timestamp: 2019-01-21 13:45:03
Document Index: 708260935

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2705', '§ 1701', '§ 2501', '§ 2901', '§1503', '§101']

Medical Marijuana | Department of Agriculture and Forestry
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is designated at the state’s lead regulatory agency in the licensure and production of therapeutic marijuana. The Medical Marijuana Program is responsible for licensing and overseeing the production of medical marijuana to ensure safety of the final product.
Dec. 11, 2018 – Stakeholder Meeting Recording (MP3)
Q. Is it currently legal to grow medical marijuana in Louisiana?
A. No. Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance by the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration. It is not legal at this time for anyone within the State of Louisiana to grow marijuana for any purpose. Only licensed production facilities will be allowed to grow medical marijuana under Louisiana law. Growing marijuana for any purpose is still illegal under the federal law.
Q. Where can I get a copy of the Act?
A. You can find the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:950, et seq., notice given Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry authority to adopt LAC 7:XLIX. Chapters 1 – 31 to regulate the growing and production of medical marijuana on the LDAF website.
Q. What is the role of Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF)?
A. The department was given the authority to regulate the production of medical marijuana in Louisiana through administrative rules to protect the public welfare of the citizens of the Louisiana.
Q. Who will be administering the permits for the program?
A. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
Q. Who are the Licensees that will be given permits to grow and cultivate medical marijuana?
A. Louisiana Revised Statute 40:1046 entitles the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and the Southern University Agricultural Center the right to be licensed as the production facilities.
Q. Will I be able to grow medical marijuana at home?
A. No, unlike some other states, LRS 40:1046 – 1047 does not permit home-grow of medical marijuana. Only a registered licensee will be allowed to grow medical marijuana.
Q. Can I put my name on a list of individuals interested in growing medical marijuana?
A. No. The Alison Neustrom Act named two agricultural centers, Louisiana State University (GB Sciences of Louisiana, LLC) and Southern University (Advanced Biomedics, LL C) as the only legal growers of medical marijuana in the state.
Q. I would like to apply for a License permit. How do I proceed?
A. The legislature has only authorized Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and Southern University Agricultural Center to be licensed to grow medical marijuana. Please contact the Board of Pharmacy regarding being licensed to dispense medical marijuana.
Q. Does the Department regulate the pharmacies?
A. No. The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy regulates the pharmacies. http://www.pharmacy.la.gov/
Q. Do the rules address where the initial seeds/clones can come from?
Q. Can a Production Facility sell excess medical marijuana to other production facilities?
A. No. Production facilities can only sell medical marijuana to pharmacies approved by the Board of Pharmacy.
Q. Can production facilities sell compose made from waste medical marijuana?
A. No. All medical marijuana waste must be rendered unusable and transported to a solid waste facility for final disposition. Please see section § 2705 Disposal of Waste in the Department of Agriculture’s rules for more information.
Q. Can I operate a Production Facility or a Pharmacy?
Q. Will we need to use a specific IT vendor or system?
A. The administrative rules stated the production facilities must use Louisiana Medical Marijuana Tracking System (LMMTS) or an inventory system that is compatible with the system the state procures.
Q. Will we need to use a specific security vendor/system?
A. No. The administrative rules do not require a Production Facility/licensee to use a specific vendor or system. It will be the responsibility of the licensee to have the best security possible for their business. Please see section § 1701 Required Surveillance Equipment in the Department of Agriculture’s rules for more information.
Q. Will the Department conduct testing Laboratory Testing?
A. Yes, the Department will handle, test or analyze medical marijuana concentrate and medical marijuana products.
Q. How will Medical Marijuana be transported from Production facilities to Pharmacies?
A. Each Production Facility will provide the Department of Agriculture and Forestry with a transportation plan that adheres to the rules located in the section § 2501. Transportation.
Q. A product has to be packaged from Production Facility to the pharmacy, does this mean it has to be maintained in that package or can it be repackaged at the pharmacy?
A. All products must be packaged and labeled before transport to a pharmacy. Please refer to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry rules located in section § 2901. Labeling Requirement for product handling.
Q. Is there age restrictions in the restricted area of the facility?
A. Yes, no persons under the age of 21 shall enter any restricted area of the facility or be licensed or permitted by the department. Refer to the section §1503. Age Restrictions.
Q. What does medical marijuana consists of?
A. Medical Marijuana―substances which are identified as including any parts of the plant Cannabis sativa, and all derivatives or subspecies of all strains of cannabis, whether growing or not, the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; and any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds, or resin, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD) and all other naturally occurring cannabinol derivatives, whether produced directly or indirectly by extraction. Refer to Act― R.S. 40:1046, et. seq. §101. Definitions for more information.
Q. Will the form of medical marijuana be smokable or a vapor?
A. The law states that it can not be in raw form or smoked. The acceptable forms are oils, extracts, tinctures, sprays, capsules, pills, solutions, suspension, gelatin-based chewables, lotions, transdermal patches, and suppositories.
Q. How many pharmacies were appointed by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to distribute medical marijuana?
A. Nine (9) licensed pharmacies were appointed by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. May be subject to change. Please contact the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy for more information. http://www.pharmacy.la.gov/
Q. Where will the nine (9) licensed pharmacies be located in Louisiana?
A. Please contact the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy for more information.
Q. How can I get a recommendation/prescription to receive medical marijuana?
A. Please contact the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners. https://www.lsbme.la.gov/
Q. What are the eligible conditions for medical marijuana?
A. Louisiana allows medical marijuana for these conditions: cancer, positive status for HIV, AIDS, cachexia or wasting syndrome, seizure disorders, epilepsy, spasticity, Crohn’s disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, Parkinson’s disease, severe muscle spasms, intractable pain, post traumatic disorder, and some symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder.
Q. Is Hemp legal to grow in the state of Louisiana?
A. Hemp is not yet legal to grow in the state of Louisiana. Legislation must be passed by the state legislature before the department can enter into a cooperative agreement with the USDA.
A. The department would have to enter into a cooperative agreement with the USDA. Once that is done, rules and regulations would have to be written based on the law for the state of Louisiana and guidance from the USDA.
01/10/2019 – Emergency Rule Filed with State Register re: Medical Marijuana
09/26/2018 – Emergency Rule Filed with State Register-LAC 7:XLIX.2301 – 2303 (medical marijuana)
07/11/2017 – Final Rule–Medical Marijuana (LAC 7:XLIX. Chapters 1-31)
06/01/2017 – 2nd Report-Public Comments Medical Marijuana (LAC 7:XLIX.Chapters 1-31)
04/11/2017 – Potpourri: Notice of Substantive Changes Filed with State Register – Medical Marijuana (LAC 7:XLIX.Chapters 1-31)
11/10/2016 – Notice of Intent Filed with State Register- Medical Marijuana (LAC 7:XLIX.Chapters 1-31)