If you’re wondering, “how do I get a medical card in Louisiana,” you’re not alone! Louisiana’s medical marijuana system is slightly different from other states. Although there is a central registry for medical cannabis, Louisiana doesn’t issue medical marijuana cards; once you’re on the registry, you can go into a dispensary using a standard ID, such as a driver’s license. This process eliminates a step (along with a lot of paperwork!) and makes the process easier.
However, unlike most other medical states, Louisiana does not allow cannabis patients to grow their own medicine, which can pose a financial burden. Additionally, it can be challenging to find doctors who register Louisiana medical cannabis patients, and there are still relatively few dispensaries in the state.
Quick Guide to getting Medical Marijuana in Louisiana
Since you don’t need to know how to get a medical card in Louisiana to obtain cannabis, there are just two steps in the process of getting Louisiana medical certification.
- Determine if you have a qualifying condition: Louisiana residents can qualify for medical marijuana if they have a qualifying condition. See below for the list of recognized ailments.
- Schedule a doctor’s consultation: A doctor licensed to prescribe medical cannabis in the state of Louisiana will evaluate you. If they think cannabis is appropriate to your condition, they will enter you into the state registry.
Read on for more information.
How to Get on the Louisiana Medical Marijuana Registry
Determine if you have a qualifying condition
Louisiana law allows cannabis to be prescribed for “intractable pain,” along with a range of medical conditions. Intractable pain essentially means pain so severe it would otherwise require opiates or be untreatable. Additionally, Louisianans can obtain medical cannabis licenses for:
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Cachexia (aka wasting syndrome)
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
- Glaucoma
- HIV or AIDS
- Muscular dystrophy
- Severe muscle spasms
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)
2. Schedule a doctor’s consultation
In Louisiana, doctors need to have a special certification to prescribe medical cannabis, and qualifying doctors can be challenging to find in some areas. We can help you navigate the process, find a doctor become eligible, and only be charged if you succeed. Since you don’t need to know how to get a medical card in Louisiana, the process is still reasonably simple.
Once you find a doctor, bring your medical record and ID along for a consultation. The doctor will examine your medical history and conduct an exam to determine if you qualify. If you do, they will enter you into the state database and provide a certificate of recommendation, which they will fax to your local MMJ pharmacy.
Medical Marijuana Pharmacies in Louisiana
Even though you don’t need to obtain a Louisiana medical marijuana card, Louisiana does have very rigid rules about what types of cannabis products are allowed and where you can get them. Medical marijuana products are produced in a state-regulated monopoly, and cannabis is not permitted in its raw form. At the moment, only tinctures are available, although pharmacies expect other types, such as metered doses and chewables, to be available very soon.
Louisiana has also limited medical marijuana pharmacies to one per region. While that may change eventually, it will be some time until patients have ample choice in medical cannabis treatments, unfortunately. Louisiana medical marijuana patients should consider supplementing their medical cannabis with CBD products, which are legal in all fifty states. Knowing how to get a Louisiana medical card is unnecessary. CBD is one of the essential ingredients found in medical cannabis, which can help alleviate many symptoms without THC’s psychoactive effects. Here are some great CBD products to make your medical marijuana more effective.
Louisiana CBD Products
Papa & Barkley CBD Hemp Drops – 450mg (15ml)
Papa & Barkley CBD hemp drops are made with high-quality CBD farmed in Colorado and produced with no chemicals, solvents, or artificial ingredients. This potent tincture is a great general purpose CBD supplement, backed by a 100% Happiness Guarantee.
RedWood Reserves Golden Redwood CBD Flower (3.5 g)
If you prefer your CBD in flower form, RedWood Reserves Golden Redwood is an excellent choice. This strain is a cross between Cannatonic and Sour Tsunami, with relaxing effects significant for treating anxiety and tension. It’s also free of THC, making it legal to own and smoke or vaporize in Louisiana.
Mary’s Jane All-Natural Pain Relief Roll-On – 1000mg (10ml)
This all-natural roll-on is one of the most convenient ways to treat local pain, from sore muscles and joints to migraines. Packed with 1000mg of CBD, this medicine is exceptionally potent, without THC’s psychoactive effects. Just roll it over where it hurts for quick relief.
Bloom Farms CBD BLACKBERRY CBD MINI VAPOR PEN – 0.5 G
This flavorful vaporizer pen is a great way to enjoy therapeutic cannabinoids anywhere you need them. It contains 250mg of CBD in a broad spectrum extract, including CBC, BR, CBN, and other medicinal cannabinoids. The natural, plant-derived blackberry flavor and high-quality hardware make it an enjoyable and reliable way to consume CBD.
