Louisiana governor signs law making medical marijuana accessible to people

Louisiana now has a medical marijuana program after the governor signed the bill into law making it the first southern US state to make marijuana available for patients. The governor also signed a new law reducing second-time marijuana possession from a felony to a misdemeanour. Though this is a huge step forward for the state and good drug policy, however medical marijuana may not be available for purchase for up to two years due to a long regulatory, licensing, and manufacturing process.

"Louisiana's overdue for a major overhaul of its drug policies and this is a good first step," said Yolande Cadore of the Drug Policy Alliance. "It's a relief to see that smart policymakers are starting to recognise this political reality."