How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Louisiana [2024 Guide]
Louisiana is one of many US states to allow patients access to medical cannabis with the recommendation of a licensed physician. Compared to many other states, Louisiana’s medical cannabis program is fairly young. The state’s program began in 2015, but it wasn’t until 2019 that the first sales of medical cannabis began. Even still, the program was relatively restrictive and only allowed patients non-smokable forms of cannabis.
In 2020, HB 819 greatly expanded the program by allowing all state-licensed physicians to recommend medical cannabis for any condition they felt would be debilitating for the patient. The program expanded again in 2021 with HB 391, which lifted the ban on smokable cannabis. The bill finally took effect in January 2022. Louisiana’s program is still new, but it’s growing and maturing rapidly.
Interestingly, Louisiana doesn’t issue medical cannabis cards like other states. Instead, the state has physicians input a patient’s information into the state database and send it to your designated dispensary.
This approach has a number of advantages and disadvantages. Louisiana’s system eliminates the need for the state to process applications and allows patients quick access to medical cannabis. At the same time, it can make it more difficult for patients to identify themselves to law enforcement.
Regardless, getting your medical cannabis recommendation in Louisiana is quick and easy.
How Do I Become a Medical Cannabis Patient in Louisiana?
Louisiana has dramatically simplified the process of getting your medical cannabis card. The hard part is finding a doctor willing to discuss medical cannabis and make a recommendation.
Once you find a doctor to visit, you’ll need to make an appointment for an evaluation. The doctor will need to know about your medical history to make an accurate assessment of your condition and whether or not cannabis would be beneficial to you.
If your doctor recommends medical cannabis, they will ask you to select a dispensary. You will only be able to purchase medical cannabis from your designated state-licensed dispensary.
Your doctor will then enter your information into the state registry and send it to the dispensary of your choice. Within 24-48 hours, you’ll be able to go to your dispensary to purchase cannabis. They will need to see your state ID to verify your identity before you can make a purchase.
How Do I Renew a Med Card in Louisiana?
Renewing your medical cannabis registration in Louisiana is easy. The process is the same as registering for the first time. You’ll need to visit a doctor and receive a recommendation. Again, the doctor will enter your info in the state registry and send it to your chosen dispensary. You do not need to visit the same doctor, since any medical doctor in Louisiana can recommend medical cannabis.
Who Qualifies for Medical Cannabis in Louisiana?
To qualify for medical cannabis in Louisiana, you must be a permanent resident of the state and provide proof of residence in the form of a state-issued ID. If a patient is under 18 and seeking cannabis for autism spectrum disorder, they must receive approval from two physicians, one of which must be a pediatric subspecialist. All patients must receive a recommendation from a state-licensed physician.
What Are the Qualifying Conditions to Get a Medical Card in Louisiana?
Louisiana does not have a list of qualifying medical conditions. Instead, the state allows physicians to make recommendations for any condition they consider to be debilitating.
How to Find a Louisiana Medical Marijuana Doctor for an MMJ Evaluation
Unfortunately, there’s still a stigma around cannabis, and a need for further education, even in the medical community. So, it can be difficult for patients to find a physician knowledgeable and willing to discuss cannabis as a treatment option. Don’t worry, though. If you’re looking for a medical cannabis card in LA, you don’t have to do all the searching yourself.
NuggMD can make the process much easier. NuggMD works with state-licensed physicians in Louisiana who are knowledgeable about medical cannabis and willing to discuss it honestly as a treatment option.
In order to help your doctor make an informed diagnosis, it’s always best to provide them with detailed medical records. If you can, provide them with the following:
- Current prescriptions
- Hospital records
- Medical test results
- Patient charts
- Physical therapy records
Learn more about how NuggMD can make the process of finding a knowledgeable cannabis doctor. Head over to NuggMD Louisiana to begin your risk-free evaluation from the comfort and privacy of your home.
Get Your Louisiana Medical Cannabis Recommendation Online: The NuggMD Process
Getting qualified for a Louisiana medical marijuana card online is simple with NuggMD. All you have to do is:
- Signup
Fill out a 30-second, confidential questionnaire. We’ll send it to one of our available medical marijuana doctors for review.
- Chat with a Doctor Today
Our state-certified medical practitioners are standing by to help answer your questions and evaluate your cannabis needs.
- Get Approved
Once you’re approved, your doctor will upload your recommendation to the dispensary of your choice, much like a physician uploads a prescription.
- Receive Your Recommendation
Getting your recommendation with NuggMD is fast and easy, and you can purchase and possess medical marijuana as soon as your physician has uploaded your recommendation to the dispensary. Your Louisiana recommendation is good for one year.
What to Expect When Talking to a Louisiana Medical Marijuana Doctor on NuggMD
Be prepared to discuss your medical history. As with every doctor, all conversations are confidential and essential to determining what's best for your condition.
Your doctor will review your records. They'll use that information and what you tell them during the consultation to determine if cannabis may be helpful for your case. Give your physician as much information as you can for an accurate assessment. If you don't have all the details, your physician may ask for more records before deciding.
Don't let the doctor be the only one asking questions. It's a great idea to jot down questions before and during your consultation. Ask every question you have. Your doctor wants you to have complete confidence and clarity about medical cannabis and your condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Cannabis in Louisiana
As of January 2022, every type of cannabis product is available in Louisiana. That includes flower, vapes, edibles, topicals, oils, pills, dissolvables, and more.
What Does Marijuana Feel Like?
Cannabis doesn’t affect any two people exactly the same. There are a lot of factors that go into how cannabis will affect you, like which strain you use, how you consume, how much you consume, and your body chemistry. Commonly reported experiences include:
- Relaxation
- Feeling uplifted
- Reduced stress
- Increased laughter
- Hunger
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleepiness
- Short-term memory issues
Most people have positive experiences with cannabis, but it is possible to experience some less-than-pleasant effects, like anxiety, paranoia, and nausea.
Usually, these are the result of using too much cannabis when your body isn’t accustomed to it. That’s why it’s important to start with a low dose and take it slow. Once you’re comfortable with the lower doses, you can gradually increase the amount.
If you’re nervous about your first few experiences with cannabis, you can have a friend that’s more experienced stay with you while you use cannabis. They can help guide you through the experience, keep you company, and make you feel at ease.
What If My Dose Is Too High?
Using too much cannabis can be unpleasant, but you can find comfort in knowing the feeling will pass within a few hours, maybe less than that. There are also a few things you can do to sober up. CBD may help. You can also find something enjoyable to do to pass the time. A funny movie is always a good start.
After you feel better, it’s probably a good idea to contact your physician to discuss how to better adjust your dosage to fit your body and tolerance level.
Have More Questions About How to Get Your Med Card in Louisiana?
If you have additional questions, visit our complete Louisiana medical cannabis FAQs or check out one of our other Louisiana-specific patient resources.
- Louisiana Cannabis Laws & Regulations
- Qualifying Conditions in Louisiana
- Benefits of Getting a Med Card in Louisiana
- How to Become a Caregiver in Louisiana
If you need any extra help, you can always reach out to the customer service team at NuggMD! Our support staff is always willing to help you with any questions or concerns you may be having about medical marijuana treatments.
We know the evaluation and registration process can feel overwhelming or confusing. Luckily, our customer service team answers hundreds of inquiries every day. They've got the experience to help you overcome any stumbling blocks you might encounter along the way.
NuggMD has helped over 1,000,000 patients connect with their medical marijuana doctor from the comfort of home since 2016.
