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 243 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Newell
Abstract: Decriminalizes the possession and distribution of marijuana contingent upon legislative
enactment of a statutory regulatory system and establishment of a sales tax and provides
relative to applicability.
Present law provides for the regulation of controlled dangerous substances, and prohibits the
possession, distribution, dispensing, or possession with intent to distribute or dispense marijuana.
Proposed law removes those criminal penalties contingent upon the legislature providing for a
statutory regulatory system for the legal sale and distribution of marijuana and establishing a sales
tax on those sales.
Provides that proposed law shall not apply to the present law offense of operating a vehicle while
intoxicated (R.S. 14:98(A)(1)(d)(i), (ii), and (e)(i)), shall not prohibit any employer from enforcing
or adopting reasonable zero tolerance policies or drug free workplace policies, and shall not be
construed to prohibit any school policy, pursuant to present law (R.S. 17:416(C)(2)) from being
enforced or adopted relative to drug free zones.
(Amends R.S. 40:966(B)(2)(intro. para.) and (D)(1); Repeals R.S. 40:964(Schedule I)(C)(19) and
966(C)(2) and (F))