- Most patients can only buy 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower every 14 days in Louisiana—and you have to have a medical card to do so. But Louisiana’s medical marijuana program doesn’t actually issue physical cards. Instead, providers send a recommendation digitally to your pharmacy, and your pharmacy will verify your identity during your visit.
- To apply for access, be prepared with all the necessary documents, and use TeleLeaf as a convenient and reliable guide. Once your application is approved, brush up on how Louisiana law handles marijuana so you can enjoy your cannabis healing journey without worrying about any issues with the law.
Medical marijuana is a healing tool with thousands of years of history. People from all walks of life use it to find relief—from those living with chronic pain to people handling depression, anxiety, and stress.
If you’ve been wanting to give medical marijuana a try, you likely have some questions about it, like how much weed you can buy with a medical marijuana card.
Most patients can only buy 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower every 14 days in Louisiana with their medical card. But how do you get a card? And what are the laws surrounding medical use?
Finding these answers is your first step in actualizing plans to give this path a try. To that end, let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions from newer marijuana users and others just starting on their journey.
Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card?
In Louisiana, a licensed cannabis doctor can recommend medical marijuana for any condition they think might benefit from it.
Several debilitating conditions are listed directly, but some of TeleLeaf’s most common qualifying conditions include:
- Anxiety
- Chronic pain
- Arthritis
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Insomnia
Other common conditions patients look to treat with cannabis include:
- HIV/AIDS
- Muscular dystrophy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Seizure disorders
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Severe muscle spasms
Marijuana is a prized option for people living with chronic pain, especially pain that isn’t easily manageable without prescription painkillers.
State law also specifies that you can get a medical marijuana card if you have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with the specific manifestations of:
- Self-injuring behavior
- Physical aggression
- Destructive behavior
Military veterans can also benefit from the healing effects of marijuana, which can help ease symptoms associated with physical, mental, and emotional strain after duty.
But having a treatable condition isn’t the only hurdle you have to clear. Louisiana has other eligibility checks, including a minimum age of 21 for all residents who get their cards. If you’re underage, it is still possible to get a card, but you’ll need a designated caregiver, like a parent, to administer your doses of marijuana.
Second, you need a valid US ID. Finally, you need a recommendation from a licensed medical marijuana doctor—and this is where TeleLeaf steps in.
TeleLeaf builds bridges between patients and qualified medical specialists who are ready and willing to help you apply for your medical marijuana card. We take the hassle and headache out of one of the biggest struggles of the whole process: finding a doctor who will listen to you and put forth their recommendation with an open mind.
Will Patients Receive a Physical Medical Card in Louisiana?
While we’ve used the phrase “medical marijuana card” throughout this guide, this is a bit of a misnomer in Louisiana.
While other states issue either physical or digital medical cannabis ID cards, Louisiana does things a little differently:
- After an appointment with a medical cannabis provider, they’ll send your prescription to a marijuana pharmacy directly.
- Instead of presenting your medical card at the door of the dispensaries (because Louisiana patients won’t have a physical card), you’ll present a photo ID to verify your identity.
- If needed, you can have your provider send your prescription to another pharmacy.
While we’ll continue to use the phrase “medical card” throughout this guide, keep in mind that, if you’re a Louisiana resident, there is no physical card—this is just a simpler way to describe medical marijuana access.
Louisiana Medical Marijuana Card FAQs
Because marijuana is still illegal on a federal level, each state handles medical and recreational marijuana in its own way. Let’s break down and examine some laws specific to Louisiana medical marijuana cards.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card?
To get the ball rolling on your medical marijuana card application, you need:
- Proof of identity, such as a driver’s license or state ID
- Approval from a doctor, which TeleLeaf can provide.
Having your medical records on hand isn’t strictly necessary, but it doesn’t hurt, either. Your doctor will need access to your history to ensure that they can give you the best, most accurate recommendation possible.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Medical Marijuana Card?
Doctors in TeleLeaf’s network send patients’ recommendations to the pharmacy within an hour of their visit. However, one of the most time-consuming parts of the medical marijuana process is finding a doctor in the first place.
Some people end up doctor surfing, going from clinic to clinic in the hopes of finding someone who will write their recommendation, only to be met with judgment and misunderstanding.
Fortunately, TeleLeaf takes the guesswork out of this process. By sending you straight to doctors who already understand the healing benefits of marijuana, you won’t have to worry about facing judgment or delays and can hop right into the recommendation process.
How Much Does a Medical Marijuana Card Cost?
TeleLeaf patients pay $179 for a new patient appointment—this includes a medical cannabis recommendation if you and your provider decide that you’re a good candidate for treatment.
You’ll also need to renew your recommendation annually. TeleLeaf patients pay $149 for these annual renewal appointments. That’s it: no extra charges, no hidden fees.
Plus, TeleLeaf guarantees that you’ll get your money back if your application is denied, so you won’t have to worry about taking a monetary hit just for giving it a try.
It’s also important to note that:
- Insurance policies typically don’t cover medical marijuana-related expenses.
- You can’t use an HSA or FSA to pay for medical cannabis or associated visits.
- Dispensaries are like other businesses: they offer rewards programs and run sales to help you save on cannabis.
Can Medical Marijuana Affect My Employment?
Having a medical marijuana card doesn’t grant you immunity from your workplace’s rules and regulations. Each employer has their own set of rules and policies regarding marijuana use, with some being more lenient and others not hesitating to crack down on any trace of use.
Always check your company’s policy closely to make sure you aren’t putting your job at risk.
Where Can I Purchase Medical Marijuana?
State-approved marijuana pharmacies dot the state, each requiring visitors to present an ID that matches their recommendation to enter.
At the time of this writing, there are 13 medical cannabis pharmacies in the state of Louisiana.
You’ll find them in the following cities:
- Alexandria – The Medicine Cabinet Pharmacy
- Baton Rouge – Capitol Wellness Solutions
- Houma – Green Leaf dispensaries
- Lafayette – The Apothecary Shoppe
- Lake Charles – Good Day Farm
- New Iberia – The Apothecary Shoppe
- Kenner – Crescent City Therapeutics
- Covington – Willow Pharmacy
- New Orleans – H&W Drug Store
- Shreveport – Good Day Farm
- Metairie – H&W Drug Store
- West Monroe – Delta Medmar
- Slidell – Willow Pharmacy
At this time, you can also purchase medical cannabis online, but you can’t have your products delivered through the post. Online ordering simply offers an easier way to have all of your items ordered, paid for, and ready to pick up when you get to your dispensaries.
How Much Marijuana Can I Buy?
Marijuana is still a controlled substance, which means you can’t buy an endless supply of it, even if you have a medical marijuana card.
Here are the current most common restrictions for buying marijuana in Louisiana:
- Patients can only buy 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower every 14 days
- Other products can only have a 30-day supply
- These products must be approved for medical use in Louisiana
Your dispensaries will keep tabs automatically, so you don’t have to worry about doing the work yourself. However, it isn’t a bad idea to keep track so that you stay in the know.
General FAQs About Medical Marijuana
After your application for your medical marijuana card is reviewed and approved, it’s time to move on to part two: understanding the state laws governing marijuana use in Louisiana.
Is Recreational Marijuana Use Legal?
Currently, recreational use of marijuana is illegal in Louisiana. However, the nation’s overall perception and acceptance of marijuana as a helpful healing tool has created ripples in how state law handles people caught recreationally using it.
For Louisiana residents, this comes in the form of reduced penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. As of 2021, if you’re found with 14 grams or less, the maximum penalty is a $100 fine rather than any time in jail—a benefit to both the crowded legal system and the casual cannabis enjoyer.
Can I Grow My Own Marijuana?
You can’t grow your own marijuana for medical or recreational purposes. Only Louisiana State University’s Agricultural Center and Southern University’s Agricultural Center have authorization, and you could get in serious legal trouble if you’re caught growing your own.
But there’s likely an existing solution to the problem you’re looking to solve by growing:
- If you’re looking to work your botanical magic to create the perfect new strain, talk to your budtender to ask about existing formulas that might meet your needs.
- If you think growing could help keep your costs down, there are other ways to cut your cannabis bills: signing up for loyalty programs at the dispensaries, purchasing sale products, and more.
How Much Can I Expect to Spend on Marijuana?
The price of marijuana varies widely depending on factors like quantity and the type of product you’re buying. You can expect to spend around $35-80 or an eighth of an ounce, or 3.5 grams.
If you’re looking to buy edibles or other consumable products—also legal under Louisiana law–prices can vary even more. If you’re trying to protect your budget, talk to your budtender about your spending limits; these cannabis pharmacy pros can help you find a product that meets your needs.
Can I Travel With Marijuana?
You can, but it needs to be in its original packaging and you have to carry your medical marijuana ID with you. Because it’s still illegal on a federal level, you can’t travel across state borders with marijuana.
Taking Control of Your Health with TeleLeaf
No matter why you’re considering medical marijuana, the most important part of any health journey is gaining control over your own quality of life.
TeleLeaf is here to help you build the bridge between where you are now and where you want to be. We’ve been in your shoes before, and we understand your drive to turn your life around, reestablish your healing goals, and flex your agency. That’s why our medical professionals will help you apply for your medical marijuana card with compassion and knowledge.
To get started on your medical marijuana journey, reach out to us to schedule a virtual appointment.
Sources:
NORML. Louisiana Medical Marijuana Law
https://norml.org/laws/medical-laws/louisiana-medical-marijuana-law/
Louisiana Cannabis Information. Louisiana Marijuana Laws 2024
https://louisianastatecannabis.org/laws
TP Nola. Marijuana, delta-9, hemp, CBD: Everything you need to know about Louisiana’s cannabis laws
https://www.nola.com
NORML. Louisiana Laws and Penalties
https://norml.org/laws/louisiana-penalties-2/
KSLA News 12. The cost of medical marijuana in Louisiana
https://www.ksla.com/2022/01/04/cost-medical-marijuana/
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