Cannabis in Louisiana

Cannabis in Louisiana is illegal for recreational use. First time possession of the drug remains a criminal offense but was decriminalized statewide in 2015 to a $300 fine and/or 15 days in jail. Possession of small amounts of marijuana has also been decriminalized in the cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport.
Prohibition (1920s).
Sources give varying dates for the prohibition of cannabis in Louisiana, generally either 1924 or 1927.
Despite this law, and newspaper accounts of contemporaneous cannabis use in New Orleans, in 1930 there were only 30 marijuana convictions in the entire state.
Reduction of criminal penalties (2015).
On June 30, 2015, Governor Bobby Jindal signed SB 143, which significantly reduced penalties for possession of cannabis. Under the bill, first time possession is punishable by a $300 fine and 15 days in jail, a second offense by up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, a third offense by up a $2,500 fine and up to two years in jail, and fourth or subsequent offenses by up to a $5,000 fine and eight years in prison.
Medical cannabis (2015-present).
On June 30, 2015, Governor Bobby Jindal also signed HB 149, which sets up a framework for dispensing marijuana for medical purposes. On Tuesday, August 6, 2019, medical cannabis was dispensed in the state for the first time, supplied by cannabis grower GB Sciences.
In August 2020, HB 819, signed by Governor John Bel Edwards, greatly expanded access to medical cannabis. HB 819 allows any licensed doctor in good standing with the state to recommend cannabis for any condition the doctor "considers debilitating to an individual patient and is qualified through his medical education and training to treat." 
There are currently 9 pharmacies within the state dispensing THC products, one in each state health department region. They are located in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, Monroe, Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Madisonville. A 10th pharmacy license could be issued as needed. Products available include tinctures, creams, distillates, gelatin based chewable, and metered dose inhalers. Raw flower is not allowed to be sold in the state. Additionally, only two growers are licensed to grow cannabis: LSU and Southern University. Limited availability and shortages have been reported from some patients.