Medical marijuana debate to be revived with La. lawmakers

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - When they return for their next legislative session, state lawmakers will again debate whether to allow medical marijuana to be dispensed in Louisiana.

Baton Rouge Rep. Dalton Honore, a Democrat, has pre-filed the legislation for consideration in the regular session that begins April 13.

Sheriffs and district attorneys successfully stonewalled efforts last year to allow medical marijuana for people with serious illnesses. But supporters of the idea hope to change minds and set up guidelines allowing for the prescriptions.

Louisiana legalized medical marijuana in 1991 for people with certain conditions, and the state health department issued regulations a year later allowing doctors to prescribe the drug.

But rules were not set up for dispensaries, so no prescriptions have been issued.

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