Louisiana Limits Marijuana Pharmacies to Nine Statewide

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.

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.