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)]
HB 579 Original 2018 Regular Session James
Abstract: Provides relative to the La. Board of Medical Examiners and the La. Board of Pharmacy
in authorizing marijuana for therapeutic use.
Present law authorizes licensed physicians to recommend in any form, with specific exceptions,
tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) or chemical derivatives of THC for therapeutic use by patients
clinically diagnosed as suffering from a debilitating medical condition.
Proposed law provides that licensed physicians may recommend marijuana or marijuana preparations
for therapeutic use for patients suffering from a debilitating medical condition.
Proposed law provides that licensed pharmacists may dispense marijuana preparations and marijuana
paraphernalia to patients enrolled in the state-sponsored medical marijuana program in Louisiana,
their caregivers, and minor patients' domiciliary parents.
Present law defines debilitating medical conditions as: cancer, positive status for human
immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, cachexia or wasting syndrome,
seizure disorders, epilepsy, spasticity, Crohn's disease, muscular dystrophy, or multiple sclerosis.
Proposed law adds to the list: glaucoma, severe muscle spasms, intractable pain, and post traumatic
stress disorder.
Proposed law adds and defines intractable pain as a pain state in which the cause of the pain cannot
be removed or otherwise treated with the consent of the patient and which, in the generally accepted
course of medical practice, no relief or cure of the cause of the pain is possible, or none has been
found after reasonable efforts. It is pain so chronic and severe as to otherwise warrant an opiate
prescription.
(Amends R.S. 40:1046(A) and (G))