Federal update: DOJ partially rescheduled medical cannabis to Schedule III (April 28, 2026 final order). State-licensed medical operators may apply for expedited DEA registration through June 27, 2026; DEA hearing on full rescheduling set for June 29, 2026.
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HB 652 (2021) — Louisiana Cannabis Decriminalization

House Bill 652 made possession of 14 g or less a $100-maximum-fine misdemeanor, regardless of prior offenses. Effective August 1, 2021. Decriminalized — but not legalized.

Last verified: April 2026

The Single Biggest Shift in Louisiana Possession Law in Modern History

The single biggest shift in Louisiana cannabis-possession law in modern history was House Bill 652 of 2021, sponsored by Rep. Cedric Glover (D-Shreveport) and signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards on June 14, 2021, with an effective date of August 1, 2021.

What HB 652 Did

HB 652 amended LRS §40:966(C)(2)(a) so that possession of 14 grams or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $100 — and no jail time — regardless of how many prior offenses the person has.

What HB 652 Replaced

Prior to HB 652, a first-offense conviction for any amount of marijuana could draw:

  • Up to 15 days in parish jail.
  • $300 fine.
  • Second and third offenses escalating into felony territory with multi-year prison exposure.

HB 652 effectively flattened the small-possession ladder. The same defendant who would have faced felony exposure on a third arrest now faces a $100 fine maximum.

What HB 652 Did NOT Do

  • It did not legalize cannabis. Possession remains a misdemeanor offense with a citation that goes on the record.
  • It did not eliminate paraphernalia charges. LRS §40:1023 paraphernalia remains a separate misdemeanor (up to $1,000 / 6 months) — though New Orleans has effectively de-prioritized prosecution.
  • It did not affect quantities above 14 g. 14 g – 2.5 lbs remains a misdemeanor on first offense, felony on subsequent. Above 2.5 lbs, full felony exposure with the trafficking schedule on the books.
  • It did not authorize sale, distribution, or cultivation. All remain criminal under LRS §40:966(A).
  • It did not create employment protections. Private employers can still terminate for a positive THC test (see workplace guide).

The Practical Effect

A Citation Still Goes on the Record

A possession citation under HB 652 generates a court record. That record can affect employment background checks, federal-job security clearances, federal student aid, professional licensing, child-custody proceedings, and immigration status. The only consequence HB 652 eliminated is jail time.

Parish-by-Parish Implementation

HB 652 is statewide statute. But how it is experienced on the ground varies dramatically by parish:

  • Orleans Parish (New Orleans) — Most permissive. NOPD cite-and-release predates HB 652 (in place since 2010, expanded 2016, backstopped by DA Williams declination since 2020). HB 652 just put a statewide floor under what NOLA was already doing.
  • East Baton Rouge — Stricter. EBR Sheriff and Baton Rouge PD do not operate cite-and-release as a matter of municipal policy. HB 652 still applies — the citation is statutory — but enforcement is more aggressive.
  • St. Tammany Parish (Northshore) — Among the strictest in Louisiana. Despite proximity to permissive Orleans Parish, St. Tammany prosecutors and sheriff have a historically tough posture.
  • Rural I-10 / I-49 corridors — Aggressive on out-of-state plates. Rural parish sheriffs are known for vigorous traffic-stop enforcement; HB 652 caps the penalty but doesn't eliminate the stop.

See full parish enforcement variation.

How HB 652 Compares Regionally

State Decrim Threshold Maximum Fine
Louisiana14 g$100, no jail (HB 652)
Mississippi30 g (1st)$250 (1st)
TexasNo statewide decrimUp to 180 days / $2,000 for ≤2 oz (Class B misdemeanor)
AlabamaNo statewide decrimUp to 1 year / $6,000 for personal use
ArkansasNo statewide decrimUp to 1 year / $2,500 for ≤4 oz

Louisiana's HB 652 makes Louisiana the most lenient possession state in the Deep South, by a meaningful margin.

Who to Thank — and Who Opposed

Bill sponsor: Rep. Cedric Glover (D-Shreveport).
Signed by: Gov. John Bel Edwards (D), the Democratic governor whose tenure (2016–2024) shaped modern Louisiana cannabis law.
Notable supporters: The Louisiana ACLU, NORML Louisiana, the New Orleans delegation, and a handful of moderate Republican legislators concerned about prison-population costs.
Notable opposition: Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, several DA's offices, Louisiana Family Forum.

Repeal Risk Under Gov. Landry

Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, who took office on January 8, 2024, has been *cool but not crusading* on cannabis policy. As state Attorney General before becoming governor, Landry was a vocal critic of federal cannabis liberalization and a drug-war traditionalist. As governor, he has neither expanded the medical program meaningfully nor moved to roll back HB 652. ⚠️ Verify against current legislative sessions before assuming the status quo holds.

Reading the Statute Yourself

The full text of LRS §40:966 is at legis.la.gov. The HB 652 amendment is reflected in subsection (C)(2)(a). The Louisiana State Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you to a Louisiana criminal-defense attorney for case-specific questions.

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