Is Weed Legal in New Orleans? Everything You Need to Know

New Orleans is the undisputed epicenter of nightlife in the Gulf Coast. From historic cocktail spots and raucous clubs to the dingiest of dives, NOLA has it all when it comes to having fun… so long as your idea of a good time doesn’t involve cannabis. Like its neighboring states, Louisiana is about as deep red, politically speaking, as it gets, which explains why—despite the Crescent City’s feel-good status—it does not offer legalized cannabis.

That doesn’t mean you won’t come across some weed smoke while strolling down Bourbon Street or in one of the parks along the Mississippi River, but compared to other nationally revered party places, New Orleans is way behind when it comes to widespread cannabis acceptance and accessibility.

The local cannabis laws can be confusing to the uninitiated, and it’s always wise to brush up on the latest developments and changes. So whether you’re a longtime resident or a visitor brushing up on the rules before a trip to NOLA, here’s the latest on weed legalization in New Orleans, with all of your questions about cannabis answered.

No, and most observers believe it won’t be anytime soon. The recreational use of cannabis has been legalized in 24 states, but Louisiana has yet to follow suit.

“Coming out of Louisiana's statewide elections last year, we now have a very conservative governor and a state legislature that has become even more conservative than it was over the last term,” says Peter Robins-Brown, executive director of Louisiana Progress, a solutions-driven organization that partners with local advocacy organizations. “Given that dynamic, it seems like whatever pre-existing momentum may have existed toward legalizing weed has slowed, if not stopped altogether."

As a city that relies on tourists having a good time, NOLA would benefit from weed legalization more than most other places, according to Robins-Brown.

“Local and state leaders certainly aren't oblivious to that fact, and it's one of the reasons they might be more open to legalization than lawmakers in other conservative states," he says.

Richard Nelson, the current Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue, is the rare example of a prominent Republican who has supported the legalization of recreational cannabis, believing it would attract more visitors, especially if Louisiana was the only state in the region to do so.

Polling consistently shows local residents are in favor of legalizing cannabis for recreational use. In a 2022 survey of Louisiana registered voters, the University of New Orleans Research Center found that 58% were in favor of legalizing recreational cannabis, with 30% opposed and 12% with no opinion.

Furthermore, a recent national study by Biowellnessx.com, an eCommerce company that sells hemp-derived products, revealed that Louisiana is the fourth most interested state in medical cannabis, reflecting shifting opinions and curiosity about cannabis's therapeutic potential.

Add in the city’s challenges regarding its police force, schools, and roads—all of which would seemingly benefit from an increase in tax revenue due to legalized cannabis—and public sentiment in favor of legalization is likely to grow.

Despite the hesitance toward legalization, “the Big Easy has always been on the forefront of cannabis decriminalization,” argues Suzette Toledano, a New Orleans attorney specializing in cannabis name and likeness branding, having handled the intellectual property aspects of acquisition of rights for the Willie Nelson and The Grateful Dead cannabis brands.

In a small sign of progress, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed legislation removing the threat of jail time for the possession of marijuana-related paraphernalia. Prior to the law taking effect on August 1, 2024, possessing cannabis paraphernalia was punishable by up to 15 days in jail and a $300 fine. Under the new law, first-time offenders will face a $100 fine, and second-time offenders will face a $500 fine.

“State law already recognizes that no one should be in jail for possessing small amounts of marijuana; this new law similarly recognizes that no one should be in jail for possessing marijuana paraphernalia,” said NORML”s Deputy Director Paul Armentano in a statement.

Like most observers, Robins-Brown doesn’t expect any changes to the state’s cannabis laws this year, but believes legalization is inevitable within the foreseeable future.

Organizations like the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and Louisiana District Attorneys’ Association stand in opposition to any legalization efforts, and the election of Governor Jeff Landry is likely to hinder legalization efforts.

Perhaps the quickest path to legalization will come via the federal level—if the Biden administration chooses to decriminalize cannabis, NOLA residents won’t have to wait for the Louisiana legislature.

Securing medical cannabis is your one and only legal option in New Orleans. Fortunately, there has been progress regarding the state’s medical cannabis program.

Louisiana became the first Deep South state to legalize medical cannabis in limited forms back in 2016, but those forms were extremely limited and flower was not allowed.

Restrictions have been loosening in recent years, and as of August 1, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Health assumed regulatory authority over the state's medical (therapeutic) cannabis program, making it easier for qualified patients to gain access to state-grown medical cannabis.

Similar to a handful of states, Louisiana doesn’t offer a medical cannabis card; instead, approved medical cannabis patients have their name added to the statewide medical cannabis patient registry.

To be added to the patient registry, you first have to find a physician who has been certified by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; you can look for doctors with a “therapeutic marijuana registration permit” on this database.

Once you’re evaluated by a certified physician—for which you’ll need to provide relevant medical records, a government-issued ID, and documentation that establishes your status as a Louisiana resident—it will be determined whether medical cannabis can be recommended. If so, you’ll have your name added to the statewide medical cannabis patient registry, and you’ll also receive a recommendation to take to the state-licensed medical cannabis pharmacy of your choice. There are currently 13 licensed pharmacies in Louisiana; H & W Drug Store on Tchoupitoulas Street is the only New Orleans location. According to Robins-Brown, a new law passed in 2023 will allow each of the dispensaries to open additional satellite outlets, resulting in more locations in the coming years.

No, Louisiana does not accept out-of-state medical cannabis cards.

No, unlike in certain other states, medical cannabis patients in Louisiana are not permitted to cultivate their own plants.

Tread carefully, it’s safest to consume in the privacy of home. Public use and consumption of cannabis isn’t specifically mentioned in the state’s legislation regarding controlled substances. Still, the statute does indicate penalties for the possession, production, manufacturing, and distribution of cannabis.

While the state’s medical cannabis act doesn’t issue any guidelines regarding public cannabis consumption by patients, registered patients with approved forms of cannabis are protected from prosecution for the possession or distribution of cannabis, as long as it adheres to the state program.

Patients are able to obtain 2.5 ounces of flower every two weeks from their pharmacist.
Other acceptable product forms include oils, extracts, tinctures, sprays, capsules, pills, solutions, suspension, gelatin-based chewables, lotions, transdermal patches, and suppositories.

No. Expect to pay cash, straight out of your pocket.

Visitors over the past year may have noticed an uptick in businesses with signs saying they sell THC products, but upon closer inspection you’ll see that those items aren’t made with cannabis, but rather hemp-derived delta-9 (or the less potent delta-8) and other substitutes.

The recently enacted House Bill 952 aims to reduce the availability of these products. The potency of recreational hemp edibles has been lowered from 8 milligrams to 5 milligrams of THC per serving and they’re now banned from convenience stores that sell fuel. Restaurants and bars that currently hold alcohol and hemp permits will be able to continue selling hemp products, but the bill has stopped the state from issuing any new hemp permits for alcohol establishments.

Industry watchers are keeping an eye on Louisiana politics in 2024, but as for the biggest race in the land? Not so much, claims Robins-Brown.

"I don't think this year's presidential election will have much of an impact on whether, or when, we legalize marijuana in Louisiana,” he says. “One important federal issue to watch, though, is what happens with marijuana scheduling. If it's rescheduled or descheduled, I think that will open up the medical program a bit more, which has been shown in other states to eventually lead to legalization."

Overall, Robins-Brown is confident in the future, citing how there are too many benefits to be gained by legalizing cannabis, with few downsides.

“Whether it's a significant tax windfall, new businesses and jobs, money saved from reducing marijuana enforcement, or responding to fairly overwhelming public interest, lawmakers everywhere, even in seemingly unlikely places, are going to eventually understand that there's little choice but to legalize," he says.

As for any dreams of being able to legally enjoy cannabis as part of a big night out in New Orleans? That might be a long way off, as it’s unlikely the city will see any cannabis-friendly venues open anytime soon.

“Until adult-use cannabis is legalized in Louisiana, pure cannabis consumption lounges, where no alcohol is permitted, are a long way off in New Orleans," notes Toledano.

Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.