HLS 13RS-205 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE STUDY REQUEST NO. 1
BY REPRESENTATIVE HONORE
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: Requests a study of the feasibility and effectiveness of
legalizing marijuana possession and use
A STUDY REQUEST1
To the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice to study the impact of2
legalizing the possession and use of marijuana on the citizens of this state and to3
report its findings to the House of Representatives prior to the convening of the 20144
Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.5
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law was6
enacted by Act No. 634 of the 1972 Regular Session of the Legislature; and7
WHEREAS, Act No. 874 of the 1991 Regular Session of the Legislature authorized8
physicians to prescribe marijuana for the therapeutic use in patients suffering from certain9
types of medical conditions; and10
WHEREAS, in 2012, a majority of voters in the states of Colorado and Washington11
legalized the possession of marijuana by any person twenty-one years of age or older; and12
WHEREAS, despite existing federal law prohibitions regarding the purchase and13
possession of marijuana, it appears that public opinion may be changing regarding the14
possession and recreational or therapeutic use of marijuana; and15
WHEREAS, during the forty-one years since the Louisiana Uniform Controlled16
Dangerous Substances Law has been enacted, attitudes in Louisiana regarding the17
recreational or therapeutic use of marijuana have changed; and18
WHEREAS, it is appropriate for the state of Louisiana to consider the legalization19
of marijuana; however, prior to legalizing marijuana, the Louisiana Legislature should20
consider many factors, including but not limited to the following:21 HLS 13RS-205 ORIGINAL
HSR NO. 1
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(1) Determining how the legalization of marijuana would affect the health, safety,1
and welfare of the citizens of Louisiana.2
(2) Determining the impact legalization would have on drug-free workplace policies3
and procedures.4
(3) Determining the effect that legalization would have on existing criminal laws,5
including the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, the habitual offender law, as6
well as provisions prohibiting the operation of a vehicle while intoxicated.7
(4) Determining the regulations needed for the licensing of retailers to sell8
marijuana.9
(5) Determining the product labeling, quality control, and taxing regulations needed;10
and11
WHEREAS, if the Louisiana Legislature wishes to consider the legalization of12
marijuana, that decision should be based upon facts which establish that the legalization of13
marijuana is in the best interest of the people of the state of Louisiana.14
THEREFORE, the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana requests15
the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice to study the impact of16
legalizing the possession and use of marijuana on the citizens of this state and to report its17
findings to the House of Representatives prior to the convening of the 2014 Regular Session18
of the Legislature of Louisiana.19
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the House Committee on the Administration20
of Criminal Justice work in conjunction with and obtain input from the Department of Health21
and Hospitals, the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, the Louisiana District Attorneys22
Association, the Louisiana Public Defender Board, the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, the23
Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and the24
Administration of Criminal Justice, the Louisiana Public Defenders Association, the25
Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the office of the attorney general, and26
any other agencies or associations deemed appropriate by the committee.27 HLS 13RS-205 ORIGINAL
HSR NO. 1
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Honore HSR No. 1
Requests the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice to study the
impact of legalizing the possession and use of marijuana and to report its findings to the
House of Representatives prior to the convening of the 2014 R.S.