GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 418 2020 Regular Session LaCombe
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: Provides relative to immunity from prosecution for
medical marijuana
DIGEST
Present law provides that certain persons are exempt from prosecution for certain violations
of present law (the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law).
Proposed law retains present law and adds that any facility licensed by the La. Dept. of
Health and has patients in its care using medical marijuana pursuant to present law (R.S.
40:1046) and physicians who provide information on marijuana for therapeutic use within
a bona fide doctor-patient relationship, or who issue a recommendation to a patient for
marijuana for therapeutic use pursuant to present law, shall be exempt from prosecution for
certain violations of present law (the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law).
Proposed law further provides that the proposed law exemption does not prohibit the arrest
or prosecution of any person for diversion of medical marijuana or any other conduct outside
the scope of the state-sanctioned medical marijuana program provided for in present law or
proposed law.
(Amends R.S. 40:966(F)(6); Adds R.S. 40:966(F)(7) and (8))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Exempt physicians who provide information on marijuana for therapeutic use
within a bona fide doctor-patient relationship or who issue a recommendation
to a patient for marijuana for therapeutic use pursuant to present law from
prosecution for certain violations of present law (the Uniform Controlled
Dangerous Substances Law).
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary C to the
reengrossed bill
1. Add language that clarifies that proposed law exempts the La. Dept. of Health
and certain physicians from the prohibitions provided in present law and
proposed law for possession and distribution of marijuana.
2. Add provision to proposed law that proposed law does not prohibit the arrest
or prosecution of any person for diversion of medical marijuana or any other
conduct outside the scope of the state-sanctioned medical marijuana program
provided for in present law.
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Prepared by Alden A. Clement, Jr.