HLS 21RS-46 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1
BY REPRESENTATIVE BRYANT
DRUGS/CONTROLLED: Requests a study of the effects of legalizing recreational
cannabis usage
1 A RESOLUTION
2To authorize and request the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice or a
3 subcommittee thereof to study the impact of legalizing the possession and use of
4 cannabis on the citizens of this state and to report its findings to the legislature prior
5 to the convening of the 2022 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
6 WHEREAS, currently fourteen states and the District of Columbia have legalized the
7possession of cannabis by any person twenty-one years of age or older; and
8 WHEREAS, despite existing federal law prohibitions regarding the purchase and
9possession of cannabis, it appears that public opinion may be changing regarding the
10possession and recreational or therapeutic use of cannabis; and
11 WHEREAS, during the forty-nine years since the Louisiana Uniform Controlled
12Dangerous Substances Law was enacted, attitudes in Louisiana regarding the recreational
13or therapeutic use of cannabis have changed; and
14 WHEREAS, Act No. 874 of the 1991 Regular Session of the Legislature authorized
15physicians to prescribe marijuana for therapeutic use in patients suffering from certain
16types of medical conditions; and
17 WHEREAS, if the Louisiana Legislature wishes to consider the legalization of
18cannabis, that decision should be based upon facts which establish that the legalization of
19cannabis is in the best interest of the people of the state of Louisiana; and
Page 1 of 2 HLS 21RS-46 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 1
1 WHEREAS, it is appropriate for the state of Louisiana to consider the legalization
2of cannabis; however, prior to legalizing cannabis, the Louisiana Legislature should consider
3many factors, including but not limited to the following:
4 (1) Establishing and maintaining procedures to regulate and produce cannabis.
5 (2) Establishing public safety protections for minors.
6 (3) Establishing public safety protections to identify and prosecute those who misuse
7legal cannabis.
8 (4) Creating rigorous testing and detailed labeling requirements.
9 (5) Providing equity and economic opportunities for the communities of Louisiana.
10 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the House of Representatives of the
11Legislature of Louisiana requests the House Committee on Administration of Criminal
12Justice or a subcommittee thereof to study the impact of legalizing the possession and use
13of cannabis for the citizens of this state and to report its findings to the legislature prior to
14the convening of the 2022 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the House Committee on Administration of
16Criminal Justice or a subcommittee thereof shall work in conjunction with and obtain input
17from the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, the Louisiana
18District Attorneys Association, the Public Defender Board of Louisiana, the Louisiana
19Sheriffs' Association, the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Commission on Law
20Enforcement and the Administration of Criminal Justice, the Louisiana Public Defenders
21Association, the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Louisiana
22Association of Business and Industry, the office of alcohol and tobacco control, the office
23of the attorney general, and any other agencies or associations deemed appropriate by the
24committee.
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)]
HR 1 Original 2021 Regular Session Bryant
Requests the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice or a subcommittee
thereof to study the impact of legalizing the possession and use of cannabis and to report its
findings to the House of Representatives prior to the convening of the 2022 R.S.
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