Louisiana Statewide Rule
Louisiana Limits Marijuana Pharmacies to Nine Statewide
Key Facts
- Statute
- R.S. 40:1046
- Statewide pharmacy cap
- 9 permits
- Regulator
- Louisiana Board of Pharmacy
- Sensitive use buffer
- 1,000 feet
- Recreational sales
- Not authorized
Summary
Under La. R.S. 40:1046, only nine licensed marijuana pharmacies may dispense therapeutic cannabis statewide, one per Louisiana Board of Pharmacy region. Local governments cannot authorize additional dispensaries or recreational stores.
(6)(a) No marijuana retail permit holder shall locate within a fifteen-mile radius of another retail permit holder's marijuana retail location. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, in a region that encompasses any parish with a population of more than three hundred fifty thousand persons according to the most recent federal decennial census, no marijuana retail permit holder shall locate within a ten-mile radius of another retail permit holder's marijuana retail location. (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Paragraph, in a region that encompasses any municipality with a population of more than three hundred fifty thousand persons according to the most recent federal decennial census, no marijuana retail permit holder shall locate within a five-mile radius of another retail permit holder's marijuana retail location. (d) The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply if all affected retail permit holders submit a written mutual agreement to the department waiving the provisions of this Paragraph.
Full Breakdown
The Therapeutic Use of Marijuana Act caps the number of marijuana pharmacy permits at nine, with one allocated to each of the nine Louisiana Board of Pharmacy regions. The Board of Pharmacy issues and renews permits, sets siting standards, and prohibits permits within 1,000 feet of a school, child care facility, church, public library, or park, measured per state rule. Recreational dispensaries are not authorized in Louisiana. Local governments may impose neutral zoning, parking, and signage rules consistent with state law, but they cannot grant additional cannabis retail licenses, ban a state-permitted pharmacy outright, or authorize adult-use sales.
Violations & Penalties
Operating an unlicensed cannabis dispensary, exceeding the nine-pharmacy cap, or violating buffer rules can result in permit denial or revocation, criminal charges under R.S. 40:966, and forfeiture of inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Louisiana city issue its own marijuana dispensary license?
How far must a Louisiana marijuana pharmacy be from a school?
Sources
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