Seven in 10 Louisianans support legalizing recreational marijuana possession for adults–and nine in 10 back medical cannabis legalization–according to a new survey released as lawmakers work to enact expungements legislation.
A poll conducted by Louisiana State University (LSU), revealed that support for the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes has increased substantially over the last decade. Seventy percent of respondents said they are in favor of ending the prohibition of adults who have “small quantities” of cannabis.
In 2013, when the survey was conducted, only 42 percent Louisiana residents supported reform.
The survey also revealed that 90 percent of Louisiana adults support the legal possession and use of marijuana as a medical treatment. It was conducted from 22 March to 4 April. The margin of error was +/- 5.8 percentage points.
Today, the third report for the 2023 Louisiana Survey has been released! Visit our website to view the full report here: https://t.co/8lK4pUxLeK#lalege #lagov@ManshipSchool @LSU pic.twitter.com/uADTnhVxmb
— Reilly Center June 1, 2020
The Louisiana legislature continues to block adult-use legislation despite these findings.
Gov. Gov.
The governor has said in the past that he believes that Louisiana is going to legalize adult-use cannabis eventually. He just doesn’t think it will happen until after his term ends next year.
—
Marijuana Moment tracks more than 1,000 cannabis and drug policy bills that have been introduced in state legislatures, and Congress. Patreon supporters who pledge at least $25/month gain access to our interactive charts, maps and hearing calendar.
Discover more about our marijuana bills tracker. Become a Patreon supporter to gain access.
—
Kevin Caldwell is a legislative manager for the Marijuana Policy Project. He told Marijuana Moment that the support of Louisiana voters has continued to grow in the last decade when it comes reforming the cannabis policy. There has been a delay in getting legislators to adopt these policies.
He said that bipartisan support was growing for changes in the outdated cannabis policies of the state. It’s time to tax and regulate a $1 billion a year illegal market.
In this session, legislators recently advanced a measure through a House Committee that would guarantee that patients who are registered as medical cannabis patients remain eligible for unemployment benefit.
A measure passed by the House to simplify expungements of first-time marijuana possession convictions will be voted on in the Senate, before it is potentially sent to Edwards.
After 90 days, people convicted for possessing up 14 grams of marijuana as a first offence could ask the court to erase their records.
Last session, the governor signed a bill that increased the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in the state. He also passed a bill that prevents police from searching homes if they smell cannabis.
Edwards signed a 2021 bill that allows patients participating in the medical cannabis program of the state to smoke marijuana flowers in their whole plant form.
Last year, regulators decided to continue allowing doctors to recommend medical marijuana via telemedicine.
In a separate poll conducted by the University of New Orleans last year, 58 percent of Louisiana voters supported marijuana legalization.
Nevada Lawmakers pass bill to create Psychedelics Working Group and send it to Governor
Photo by Mike Latimer.
The article New Poll finds that 7 in 10 Louisiana residents support marijuana legalization first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
