A Louisiana patient resource · General information, not medical advice
Louisiana MedicalMarijuana · Patient guide
HomePatient guide
Patient guide

No state card. No state fee.

A licensed Louisiana clinician’s written recommendation is your authorization. Here is how to get evaluated and choose a pharmacy.

Program rules change. Verify current requirements with the Louisiana Department of Health or a licensed clinician.

Louisiana has no state patient ID card, registration, or application—and charges $0 in state fees. To obtain authorization, you pay only the clinician’s consultation fee, typically $100–$400. Pharmacy purchases are separate.

Consider whether an evaluation is right for you

Louisiana has no closed list of qualifying conditions. A licensed Louisiana clinician determines whether a condition is debilitating and whether a recommendation is appropriate to your individual circumstances.

Learn about clinician discretion

Arrange an evaluation with a licensed Louisiana clinician

Evaluations are available in person or by telehealth. Bring a valid Louisiana driver’s license or state-issued ID. Relevant records—such as a diagnosis letter, imaging, treatment history, or medication list—can help the clinician review your history. Ask the office what it needs before your appointment.

Consultations typically cost $100–$400. Your clinician reviews your history and makes an individual decision. This website cannot determine whether you qualify or recommend a treatment.

Choose a licensed pharmacy

Your clinician sends the written recommendation electronically to your chosen licensed pharmacy. No separate state application or registration is required. Confirm that the pharmacy has received your recommendation before visiting.

Louisiana has 10 licensed pharmacy operators and roughly 30 retail locations statewide.

Prepare for your pharmacy visit

Bring your Louisiana ID and contact the pharmacy for its current hours and identification requirements. Directory entries marked VERIFY do not yet have a confirmed street address.

Pharmacies may dispense up to 2.5 ounces of raw flower per patient every 14 days.

Renewal

Recommendations are valid for 12 months. A new evaluation is required to renew. Check your recommendation’s expiration date and book your renewal evaluation before it expires.

What the program does not include

  • Home cultivation is not permitted under Louisiana’s medical program.
  • A Louisiana recommendation does not automatically authorize possession in another state.
  • Federal law prohibits cannabis, including transporting it across state lines.
  • Recreational use remains illegal in Louisiana.
Do I need a physical medical marijuana card in Louisiana?
No. Louisiana does not issue a state patient ID card. A licensed Louisiana clinician’s written recommendation is your authorization.
Is there a state registration or application?
No. Louisiana has no state patient registration or application. Your clinician sends the written recommendation electronically to the licensed pharmacy you choose.
Does Louisiana have a closed list of qualifying conditions?
No. A licensed Louisiana clinician determines whether a condition is debilitating and whether a recommendation is appropriate. Examples on this site are not a checklist or a guarantee of approval.
Can an evaluation happen by telehealth?
Yes. Evaluations are available in person or by telehealth. Ask your clinician about appointment availability and what to prepare.
What should I bring to an evaluation?
Bring a Louisiana driver’s license or state-issued ID. Relevant medical records can help your clinician review your history; ask the office what it needs before your appointment.