HLS 21RS-46 ENGROSSED
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 seventeen states and the District of Columbia have legalized
7the possession 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, the Louisiana Legislature wishes to consider legalization of cannabis,
18a decision that is based upon the fact that legalization of cannabis is supported by the people
19of the state of Louisiana; and
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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 illicit cannabis
7markets and those who misuse legal cannabis.
8 (4) Creating rigorous testing and detailed labeling requirements.
9 (5) Providing equity and economic opportunities for the communities of Louisiana.
10 (6) Evaluating effects and impacts of potential legalization of cannabis on Louisiana's
11existing medical marijuana program and illicit cannabis markets.
12 (7) Evaluating best practices for potential tax structure, rates, and economic impacts
13on potential legal framework and illicit markets.
14 (8) Evaluating economic development, encouragement of private capitalization and
15investment, quality jobs created, and banking issues related to potential legalization of
16cannabis.
17 (9) Establishing a commission to appropriate funds generated from recreational
18cannabis.
19 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
20Legislature of Louisiana requests the House Committee on Administration of Criminal
21Justice or a subcommittee thereof to study the impact of legalizing the possession and use
22of cannabis for the citizens of this state and to report its findings to the legislature at least
23fourteen days prior to the convening of the 2022 Regular Session of the Legislature of
24Louisiana.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House Committee on Administration of
26Criminal Justice or a subcommittee thereof shall work in conjunction with and obtain input
27from the chairman of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice, or his
28designee; the chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and
29Rural Development, or his designee; the chairman of the House Committee on Health and
30Welfare, or his designee; the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, or his
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HR NO. 1
1designee; the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association; the Louisiana District Attorneys Association;
2the medical marijuana cultivation business community; the medical marijuana pharmacy
3business community; Louisiana State University Agriculture Center; Southern University
4Agriculture Center; Voice of the Experienced; and the author of this legislation.
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study committee shall work in conjunction
6with and obtain input from the states who have legalized recreational cannabis including but
7not limited to their findings regarding the following:
8 (1) Establishing and maintaining procedures to regulate and produce cannabis.
9 (2) Establishing public safety protections for minors.
10 (3) Establishing public safety protections to identify and prosecute illicit cannabis
11markets and those who misuse legal cannabis.
12 (4) Creating rigorous testing and detailed labeling requirements.
13 (5) Providing equity and economic opportunities for the communities of Louisiana.
14 (6) Evaluating effects and impacts of potential legalization of cannabis on Louisiana's
15existing medical marijuana program and illicit cannabis markets.
16 (7) Evaluating best practices for potential tax structure, rates, and economic impacts
17on potential legal framework and illicit markets.
18 (8) Evaluating economic development, encouragement of private capitalization and
19investment, quality jobs created, and banking issues related to potential legalization of
20cannabis.
21 (9) Establishing a commission to appropriate funds generated from recreational
22cannabis.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study committee, for the purposes of
24conducting its meetings and accomplishing its goals, shall be staffed by the House
25Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice and staff of the House Fiscal Division.
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HR NO. 1
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 Engrossed 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 at least fourteen days prior to the convening of the
2022 R.S.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of
Criminal Justice to the original bill:
1. Change the number of states that have currently legalized the possession of
cannabis from 14 to 17.
2. Rephrase the statement of intent of the legislature.
3. Add elements for consideration by the legislature when conducting the study.
4. Specify the time for submission of the report.
5. Specify the organizations with which the committee or subcommittee is to work.
6. Specify that House employees are to staff the committee or subcommittee.
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