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 158 Engrossed 2020 Regular Session Marino
Abstract: Authorizes the recommendation of medical marijuana to patients by physicians for
treating several neurodegenerative diseases and conditions.
Present law authorizes physicians who are licensed by and in good standing with the La. State Board
of Medical Examiners to recommend medical marijuana for therapeutic use by patients clinically
diagnosed as suffering from a debilitating medical condition. Defines "debilitating medical
condition" to mean cancer, glaucoma, Parkinson's disease, positive status for human
immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, cachexia or wasting syndrome,
seizure disorders, epilepsy, spasticity, severe muscle spasms, intractable pain, Crohn's disease,
muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, post traumatic stress disorder, and certain conditions
associated with autism spectrum disorder.
Proposed law retains present law and adds the following neurodegenerative diseases and conditions
to the set of debilitating medical conditions which qualify a patient for a recommendation of medical
marijuana:
(1)Alzheimer's disease.
(2)Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
(3)Huntington's disease.
(4)Lewy body dementia.
(5)Motor neuron disease.
(6)Spinal muscular atrophy.
(Amends R.S. 40:1046(A)(2)(a)(iii))