ENROLLED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1
BY REPRESENTATIVE BRYANT
A RESOLUTION
To authorize and request the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice or a
subcommittee thereof to study the impact of legalizing the possession and use of
cannabis on the citizens of this state and to report its findings to the legislature prior
to the convening of the 2022 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, currently seventeen states and the District of Columbia have legalized
the possession of cannabis by any person twenty-one years of age or older; and
WHEREAS, despite existing federal law prohibitions regarding the purchase and
possession of cannabis, it appears that public opinion may be changing regarding the
possession and recreational or therapeutic use of cannabis; and
WHEREAS, during the forty-nine years since the Louisiana Uniform Controlled
Dangerous Substances Law was enacted, attitudes in Louisiana regarding the recreational
or therapeutic use of cannabis have changed; and
WHEREAS, Act No. 874 of the 1991 Regular Session of the Legislature authorized
physicians to prescribe marijuana for therapeutic use in patients suffering from certain
types of medical conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature wishes to consider legalization of cannabis,
a decision that is based upon the fact that legalization of cannabis is supported by the people
of the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate for the state of Louisiana to consider the legalization
of cannabis; however, prior to legalizing cannabis, the Louisiana Legislature should consider
many factors, including but not limited to the following:
(1) Establishing and maintaining procedures to regulate and produce cannabis.
(2) Establishing public safety protections for minors.
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(3) Establishing public safety protections to identify and prosecute illicit cannabis
markets and those who misuse legal cannabis.
(4) Creating rigorous testing and detailed labeling requirements.
(5) Providing equity and economic opportunities for the communities of Louisiana.
(6) Evaluating effects and impacts of potential legalization of cannabis on
Louisiana's existing medical marijuana program and illicit cannabis markets.
(7) Evaluating best practices for potential tax structure, rates, and economic impacts
on potential legal framework and illicit markets.
(8) Evaluating economic development, encouragement of private capitalization and
investment, quality jobs created, and banking issues related to potential legalization of
cannabis.
(9) Establishing a commission to appropriate funds generated from recreational
cannabis.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana 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 for the citizens of this state and to report its findings to the legislature at least
fourteen days prior to the convening of the 2022 Regular Session of the Legislature of
Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House Committee on Administration of
Criminal Justice or a subcommittee thereof shall work in conjunction with and obtain input
from the chairman of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice, or his
designee; the chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and
Rural Development, or his designee; the chairman of the House Committee on Health and
Welfare, or his designee; the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, or his
designee; the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association; the Louisiana District Attorneys Association;
the medical marijuana cultivation business community; the medical marijuana pharmacy
business community; Louisiana State University Agriculture Center; Southern University
Agriculture Center; Voice of the Experienced; Louisiana Association of Business and
Industry; Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement; Drug Policy Board; and the author
of this legislation.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study committee shall work in conjunction
with and obtain input from the states who have legalized recreational cannabis including but
not limited to their findings regarding the following:
(1) Establishing and maintaining procedures to regulate and produce cannabis.
(2) Establishing public safety protections for minors.
(3) Establishing public safety protections to identify and prosecute illicit cannabis
markets and those who misuse legal cannabis.
(4) Creating rigorous testing and detailed labeling requirements.
(5) Providing equity and economic opportunities for the communities of Louisiana.
(6) Evaluating effects and impacts of potential legalization of cannabis on
Louisiana's existing medical marijuana program and illicit cannabis markets.
(7) Evaluating best practices for potential tax structure, rates, and economic impacts
on potential legal framework and illicit markets.
(8) Evaluating economic development, encouragement of private capitalization and
investment, quality jobs created, and banking issues related to potential legalization of
cannabis.
(9) Establishing a commission to appropriate funds generated from recreational
cannabis.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study committee, for the purposes of
conducting its meetings and accomplishing its goals, shall be staffed by the House
Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice and staff of the House Fiscal Division.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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