Louisiana Resolution Would Create Recreational Cannabis Policy Task Force
- A new resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 111, has been filed in the Louisiana House to create a task force focused on recreational marijuana policy.
- The resolution, introduced by State Representative Denise Marcelle, aims to establish a formal group to examine issues related to recreational marijuana but does not legalize it or create a regulated market.
- Louisiana currently allows medical marijuana and has decriminalized possession of small amounts of recreational marijuana, but adult-use sales remain illegal.
- If approved by both legislative chambers, the task force would provide a structured way for lawmakers to study and potentially develop policies for recreational marijuana in the state.
A new resolution has been filed in the Louisiana House of Representatives that would create a task force focused on recreational marijuana policy.
House Concurrent Resolution 111, filed by State Representative Denise Marcelle (D), was introduced on May 12 and was read by title before being laid over under the rules, an early but required step in the legislative process.
The resolution does not legalize recreational marijuana or create a regulated adult-use market. Instead, it would establish a formal task force to examine issues related to recreational marijuana policy in Louisiana, potentially giving lawmakers a structured way to review the topic before considering broader legislation.
Louisiana currently allows medical marijuana, but recreational marijuana remains illegal. Possession of up to 14 grams was decriminalized in 2021, making it punishable by a fine rather than jail time for a first offense, but adult-use sales remain prohibited.
The filing of HCR 111 comes as more states continue to consider changes to their marijuana laws, including expanded medical access, decriminalization and full adult-use legalization. If advanced, the resolution would give Louisiana lawmakers a new forum for studying how a recreational marijuana system could be structured, regulated and potentially implemented in the state.
As a concurrent resolution, HCR 111 would need approval from both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature.