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 385 Original 2020 Regular Session James
Abstract: Removes the prohibition on medical marijuana for inhalation and raw or crude
marijuana.
Present law provides that a physician who is in good standing with the La. State Board of Medical
Examiners to practice medicine may recommend tetrahydrocannabinols or a chemical derivative of
tetrahydrocannabinols for therapeutic use except for inhalation and raw or crude marijuana.
Proposed law deletes present law and removes inhalation and raw or crude marijuana as a prohibition
to use tetrahydrocannabinols or a chemical derivative of tetrahydrocannabinols for therapeutic use
for a patient clinically diagnosed as suffering from a debilitating medical condition.
Present law provides that present law should not prevent the La. Board of Pharmacy from permitting
medical marijuana in a form to be administered by metered-dose inhaler. Further provides that a
"metered-dose inhaler" means a device that delivers a specific amount of medication to the lungs in
the form of a short burst of medicine that is usually self-administered by the patient via inhalation.
Proposed law retains present law to provide that a "metered-dose inhaler" means any device that
delivers any specific amount of medication to the lungs.
(Amends R.S. 40:1046(A)(1))