HEALTH CARE: Provides for access to medical marijuana for terminally ill patients in a healthcare facility. (8/1/26)

Medical marijuana access for terminally ill patients

Beginning August 1, 2026, covered Louisiana healthcare facilities must allow medical marijuana use by patients with terminal and irreversible conditions. Patients must have a current recommendation under Louisiana’s medical marijuana program and give the facility a copy. The marijuana must meet state program requirements. Covered facilities are state-licensed healthcare facilities, excluding freestanding behavioral-health facilities and separate hospital behavioral-health units. Hospital emergency and outpatient departments are also excluded. Smoking and vaping are prohibited. Patients or their primary caregivers must get, retrieve, administer, and remove the marijuana. It must stay secure in a patient-provided locked container, following facility policy. Storage must be in the patient’s room, another designated area, or with the primary caregiver. Facility staff cannot administer, store, retrieve, or assist with the marijuana. At discharge, the patient or caregiver must remove any leftovers. If the patient cannot remove them and no caregiver is available, the facility must dispose of them under its policy. Facilities must record use in medical records and develop, share, and train staff on written guidelines. They do not have to provide recommendations or include marijuana in discharge plans. Compliance is not required to obtain, keep, or renew a facility license. All facilities may pause compliance after specified federal enforcement action or an express federal rule or notice banning use or compliance. The pause lasts until they are notified that use may resume. Facilities cannot restrict use solely because marijuana is federally classified as Schedule I or because of preexisting federal restrictions.