HLS 15RS-4615 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 196
BY REPRESENTATIVE JAMES
HEALTH: Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to create the Medical
Marijuana Patient Access Review Committee
1 A RESOLUTION
2To authorize and direct the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to create the Medical
3 Marijuana Patient Access Review Committee.
4 WHEREAS, since 1978, the Louisiana Legislature has enacted three Acts authorizing
5the use of marijuana for medical purposes: Act No. 725 of the 1978 Regular Session, Act
6No. 800 of the 1981 Regular Session, and Act No. 874 of the 1991 Regular Session; and
7 WHEREAS, the therapeutic use of marijuana has been authorized by Louisiana law
8since 1991, but Act No. 874 of that year failed to provide a mechanism to facilitate the
9dispensing or the purchasing of marijuana even though it could be prescribed under limited
10circumstances; and
11 WHEREAS, in an effort to provide for the maximum health opportunities for
12Louisiana citizens with certain qualifying illnesses and who are without therapeutic options,
13while at the same time ensuring the safety and welfare of Louisiana citizens, the Louisiana
14Legislature enacted Senate Bill No. 143 of the 2015 Regular Session, known as the Alison
15Neustrom Act; and
16 WHEREAS, over twenty other states have already undergone the implementation
17process and have insight on the supply amounts necessary to ensure that patients have
18reasonable access to therapeutic marijuana; and
19 WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 143 authorizes only one production facility, which is
20the most limited amount among the other states which permit the production of therapeutic
21marijuana; and
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HR NO. 196
1 WHEREAS, the House of Representatives desires to ensure there will be reasonable
2and effective oversight of the cultivation, processing, and distribution of marijuana for
3medical purposes to protect community health and safety while ensuring legitimate patient
4access.
5 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
6Legislature of Louisiana does hereby authorize and direct the Department of Agriculture and
7Forestry to create the Medical Marijuana Patient Access Review Committee.
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall investigate the potential
9patient needs, the necessary production facilities along with possible regulatory suggestions
10for those facilities and guidelines for granting a license, and the necessary number and
11locations of distribution facilities and guidelines for granting a license.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall, at a minimum, be
13comprised of all of the following members:
14 (1)The commissioner of agriculture and forestry or his designee.
15 (2)The president of the Louisiana Senate or his designee.
16 (3)The speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives or his designee.
17 (4)The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals or his designee.
18 (5)The executive director of the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy or his designee.
19 (6)The executive director of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
20 or his designee.
21 (7)The president of the Louisiana State Medical Society or his designee.
22 (8)The executive director of the Louisiana Cannabis Industry Association or his
23 designee.
24 (9)The policy director of Sensible Marijuana Policy for Louisiana or his
25 designee.
26 (10)The chancellor of the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center or his
27 designee.
28 (11)The chancellor of the Southern University Agricultural Center or his
29 designee.
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HR NO. 196
1 (12)The chancellor of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at New
2 Orleans or his designee.
3 (13)The chancellor of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at
4 Shreveport or his designee.
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the committee shall serve
6without compensation except for any per diem or expense reimbursement to which they may
7be individually entitled as members of the constituent organizations.
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commissioner of agriculture and forestry or
9his designee shall serve as the chairperson of the committee.
10 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall be staffed and meetings of
11the committee hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairperson of the committee shall call the
13first meeting of the committee no later than September 1, 2015.
14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership shall
15constitute a quorum of the committee, and any official action by the committee shall require
16an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee may conduct meetings at such
18times as it deems necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its
19powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this Resolution.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall submit a written report of
21its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives no later than January 15,
222016.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the authority of the committee shall terminate
24upon submission of the report to the House of Representatives.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
26commissioner of agriculture and forestry.
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HR NO. 196
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)]
HR 196 Original 2015 Regular Session James
Authorizes and directs the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry to create the Medical
Marijuana Patient Access Review Committee.
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