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Getting a medical marijuana recommendation in New Orleans starts with an evaluation from an authorized Louisiana clinician. Louisiana allows authorized clinicians to make therapeutic marijuana recommendations through telehealth, so eligible patients can complete their evaluation remotely. Learn more about the Louisiana medical marijuana card process and requirements.

How the Process Works

• Prepare your information: Have a valid government-issued ID and relevant medical records or information about your condition available for your evaluation.
• Complete your evaluation: Meet with an authorized Louisiana clinician by phone call or video. The clinician will review your medical history and discuss whether therapeutic marijuana may be appropriate for you.
• Receive your recommendation: If the clinician determines that therapeutic marijuana may be helpful for your condition or symptoms, they can issue a recommendation within a bona fide clinician-patient relationship.
• Visit a licensed dispensary: Once your recommendation is active, you can obtain therapeutic marijuana from a Louisiana-authorized dispensary according to state requirements.

For New Orleans patients, telehealth can make the evaluation more convenient by allowing the consultation to take place from home. After receiving a recommendation, patients can follow Louisiana's requirements to access therapeutic marijuana through an authorized dispensary.

To receive a medical marijuana recommendation in New Orleans, you must be evaluated by an authorized Louisiana clinician. Louisiana allows recommendations for patients with debilitating medical conditions, including a range of conditions specifically recognized under state law. An authorized clinician may also determine that another condition is debilitating based on their clinical judgment and qualifications.

What You Need

• Qualifying condition: Your clinician must determine that you have a debilitating medical condition that qualifies under Louisiana's therapeutic marijuana law.
• Age: Adults 18 and older can receive recommendations when they meet the applicable medical requirements. Additional requirements apply to certain patients under 18, including specific rules for autism-related conditions.
• Valid identification: Have a valid government-issued ID available for your evaluation and when accessing therapeutic marijuana through a licensed dispensary.
• Clinician recommendation: An authorized Louisiana physician, nurse practitioner, or medical psychologist must establish a bona fide clinician-patient relationship and determine that therapeutic marijuana may be beneficial.

Physician Evaluation

Louisiana does not limit recommendations to only a short list of diagnoses. An authorized clinician can consider your medical condition, symptoms, medical history, and clinical judgment when determining whether therapeutic marijuana may be appropriate. State law also permits authorized clinicians to make recommendations through telehealth.

The time it takes to receive a medical marijuana recommendation in New Orleans depends on your evaluation and how quickly the recommendation is processed by the licensed dispensary. Louisiana allows authorized clinicians to conduct evaluations through telehealth, so eligible patients may be able to complete the evaluation without visiting a clinic.

What to Expect

• Same-day evaluation: If you are eligible and complete your telehealth appointment, your clinician can determine whether to issue a recommendation during the evaluation.
• Recommendation processing: After your clinician issues the recommendation, the licensed dispensary must process the required patient information before dispensing therapeutic marijuana. Processing times can vary.
• Visit a licensed dispensary: Once the dispensary has the required information and your recommendation is active, you can purchase approved therapeutic marijuana products according to your recommendation and Louisiana requirements.

For New Orleans patients, telehealth can reduce the time and travel involved in the evaluation. The exact timeline can vary based on your appointment, clinician, and retailer processing.