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 HB No. 720
Abstract: Authorizes the production, prescribing, and distribution of therapeutic marijuana in
Louisiana.
Present law authorizes the prescribing of therapeutic marijuana for certain medical conditions.
Proposed law deletes present law.
Proposed law provides that a physician as defined may prescribe therapeutic marijuana,
tetrahydrocannabinols, or a chemical derivative of tetrahydrocannabinols for therapeutic use if all
of the following occur:
(1)The physician is a certified neurologist, oncologist, or opthalmologist licensed to practice
medicine in Louisiana.
(2)The physician is registered to prescribe controlled dangerous substances with the DEA.
(3)The physician has obtained a license to prescribe therapeutic marijuana.
(4)The physician has a bonafide physician-patient relationship with a patient who suffers
from a qualifying medical condition and the physician determines that therapeutic
marijuana is the best treatment option for that patient.
Proposed law provides that the prescriptive authority shall only extend to certified neurologists,
oncologists, and opthalmologists and shall only be prescribed for the treatment of a qualifying
medical condition.
Proposed law creates the Therapeutic Marijuana Utilization Review Board and provides for its
membership.
Proposed law provides that the board shall have rulemaking authority and shall work in
conjunction with the commissioner of the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Board
of Pharmacy, and the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners to facilitate the necessary licensing
to prescribe, produce, and dispense therapeutic marijuana in Louisiana.
Proposed law provides that the Dept. of Health and Hospitals shall supply staffing and facilities
to assist the board in administering the provisions of proposed law. Proposed law establishes criteria and licensing qualifications for therapeutic marijuana
dispensers, therapeutic marijuana treatment facilities, therapeutic marijuana producers,
therapeutic marijuana production facilities, and physicians licensed to prescribe therapeutic
marijuana and authorizes the board to develop the policies to implement proposed law through
the adoption of rules.
Proposed law provides that the House and Senate committees on health and welfare shall have
oversight over rules adopted by the Therapeutic Marijuana Utilization Review Board.
Proposed law provides that the applicant for any license must be determined to be suitable which
means that the applicant is:
(1)A resident of the state.
(2)21 years of age or older.
(3)A person of good character, honesty, and integrity.
(4)A person whose prior activities, criminal record, if any, reputation, habits, and
associations do not pose a threat to the public interest.
(5)A person who is capable of and likely to conduct the activities for which the applicant is
licensed.
(6)A person who does not owe the state or any local governing authority or any municipality
any delinquent sales taxes, penalties, or interest.
(7)A person who agrees in writing to hold harmless and indemnify the licensing authority,
the state, or the board for any and all liability arising out of the issuance the license.
(8)A person who is not disqualified.
Proposed law provides that a person will be disqualified from obtaining a license based upon any
of the following:
(1)The conviction or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the applicant for any offense
punishable by imprisonment of more than one year, any offense involving a controlled
dangerous substance, or a crime of violence or a sex offense.
(2)The person is not current in filing all applicable tax returns and in the payment of all
taxes, penalties, and interest owed to the state of Louisiana or any political subdivision of
Louisiana, excluding items under formal appeal.
(3)The failure to provide information and documentation to reveal any fact material to a
suitability determination, or the supplying of information which is untrue or misleading as
to a material fact pertaining to the suitability criteria. Provides that the licenses provided for by proposed law shall be issued by the following licensing
authorities:
(1)A therapeutic marijuana treatment center license shall be issued by the Louisiana Board
of Pharmacy.
(2)A therapeutic marijuana dispensing agent license shall be issued by the Louisiana Board
of Pharmacy.
(3)A license to prescribe therapeutic marijuana shall be issued by the Louisiana Board of
Medical Examiners.
(4)A therapeutic marijuana production facility license shall be issued by the commissioner of
the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry.
(5)A therapeutic marijuana producer license shall be issued by the commissioner of the
Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry.
Proposed law provides for the creation of the Louisiana Therapeutic Use of Marijuana Fund.
Provides that the fund shall be administered by the board.
Proposed law provides that the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Board of
Medical Examiners, and the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy shall be reimbursed for any expenses
those departments incur for the investigation and licensing functions.
Proposed law provides for an exemption from prosecution if a person is in possession or
producing, manufacturing, dispensing, or distributing therapeutic marijuana as authorized by
proposed law.
Proposed law provides that therapeutic marijuana shall not be covered by health insurance.
Proposed law provides that no licenses shall be issued until all rules have been adopted.
Effective January 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 40:1046.1-1046.16)