Louisiana Medical Cannabis License Solutions

The Cannabis License Experts (or CLE) experienced team will help you to get your Louisiana cannabis license faster and with an unmatched success rate. Having to repeat your Louisiana Cannabis License application process will set your business back by months and significantly impact your earnings potential. Let us show you how we’ll help you on your path to a Louisiana Cannabis License and much more by booking your free consultation today.

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Market Overview

Louisiana has one of the most restrictive frameworks in the nation. As an early Southeastern state for legalization with very few licensing options, State oversight limiting caps on the number of Louisiana cannabis licenses have caused this market to be slow to start. After years of struggling to get started, cannabis in Louisiana’s medical marijuana market is poised for much stronger growth in January when its nine dispensaries will begin selling cannabis flower instead of only tinctures, topicals and portable vaporizers. Despite recent changes, the Louisiana cannabis market remains among the most restrictive in the United States. A lack of advertising options, slow regulatory approvals, and a small patient count contributes to the state's overall ranking for Louisiana cannabis operators. Medical cannabis was legalized in Louisiana in 2015 but this small state is expected to boom by 2022. Louisiana’s medical marijuana program now offers raw, smokable cannabis to its patients with Delivery becoming an option for medical marijuana pharmacies-dispensaries. Estimated to reach $40 million to $50 million in 2021. By 2025, cannabis sales are projected to reach up to $400 million. With the introduction of flower, sales may double to around $100 million next year and $500 million by 2025. On January 21st 2022, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards approved HB819 which removed the ban on raw Louisiana cannabis flower being sold directly to patients. Also under HB819, doctors are now able to recommend medical marijuana for any medical condition that they deem “debilitating to an individual.”

Book a free consultation today to learn more about cannabis in Louisiana and how Cannabis License Experts can assist you and your team on your path to a Louisiana Cannabis License and much more.

Louisiana Cannabis Licensing Requirements, Timelines, and Licensing Processes

During a recent Louisiana Cannabis Medical Marijuana Commission hearing, business executives told lawmakers they still face major issues. These issues range from months long waits for approvals on new standard operating procedures (SOPs) to a lack of buy-in from cannabis consumers. Currently theLouisiana Board of Pharmacy & Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) and Louisiana Department of Health oversee Louisiana cannabis licensing. As of this report, the only two (2) licensed medical marijuana cultivation facilities are through the LSU and Southern University agriculture departments. On January 20th 2022, the LDAF posted updated rules and regulations that provide an updated process for license applications; these rules do not apply to the existing cultivators. Additionally, only 10 dispensaries are allowed to operate with 9 currently operating. Dispensaries must have previously operated as pharmacies to be considered during the application process. As of right now that process is not open however as the program's patient count grows and product shortages continue to arise, it is likely that the LDAF will consider issuing new Louisiana cannabis licenses in the state.

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Hear from Our Successful Clients

Some of the World’s Largest Brands have Trusted CLE to Support their Cannabis Journey.

5 Star Google Reviews

Matthew Caton Yield Cannab

Canna License Experts, and their team were retained by our company to help us along the way with a retail canna license. Brian Wolf along with Kalpna Mistry and their team of experts were there the entire way through the process. Thanks again to Brian and Kalpna for all you support from our family at YIELD Cannab Co.

Lin Yan GMLL Pharma

We have contacted a few licensing company before I decided to contact with Canna licensing Experts. So far I think I have made the right choice and I am happy with the work they have done for us. The team answer questions promptly and never leave us alone. Not to mention their charge are reasonable comparing the similar type of consulting company and quality of their job.

Joseph Dow Dow Testing Labs

Brian and Kalpna at Cannabis License Experts were very pleasant, informative, and knowledgeable regarding licensing. They helped us fill out all the forms needed and guided us through the entire process. I am sure that without their guidance our application would still be in process, or have been dismissed because of some missing information.

Financial Requirements

Common for most jurisdictions as a mandatory component of the Louisiana cannabis application is the requirement for a minimum amount of liquid cash on hand. This is to ensure that Louisiana cannabis applicants have the financial wherewithal from the licensing process through to the initial 2-5 years of operation. General requirements for Louisiana cannabis license applications include bank statements, CPA letters, Letter of Credit, or similar documentation. Additionally, a 2-3 year Pro Forma is also submitted as a component of the formal Business Plan. The Pharmacy application fee is $5,000.

Louisiana Cannabis License Types

There are only three current offerings for license types in Louisiana listed below:

Total # of Louisiana cannabis Licenses	*Existing number of licensees not known at the time of this report; All Medical licenses.
Dispensary (Pharmacy):	9
Cultivation:	2
Basic Demographic Information
Resources include the US Census Bureau, City-Data.com, and any additional relevant resources.
Total # of Counties	60
Total # of Cities	304 cities, towns, and villages, and 83 special districts
Population in 2019	2,20,236
* Manufacturing Integrated with cultivation

City of Baton Rouge

Median Age

$45K

Medial Income

$198K

Median Home Price

$875/Month

Fair Market Rent

City of New Orleans

Median Age

$45K

Medical Income

$242K

Median Home Price

$1010M

Fair Market Rent

3,90,144

Country Population in 2019

Louisiana Cannabis Business Climate

Overall, the majority of the state has embraced the formal legalization of cannabis medical use. With few notable exceptions, licensing of all Louisiana cannabis operations continues to be moving at a reasonable pace.

Louisiana's economy ranks as the worst in the United States. The state shed nearly 114,000 jobs during the pandemic, and partially as a result, employment is down 4.1% from where it was five years ago. The widespread financial hardship in Louisiana is indicative of deeply seated economic problems. While the state's overall low costs can make for big profits, weak economic growth causes Louisiana to rank as one of the least desirable areas to operate business. That being said, this provides an opportunity for Louisiana cannabis businesses to provide economic growth within the state.

Real Estate & Zoning

Consideration for regional and local zoning with regard to allowed proximity to certain business types, schools, and other prohibited areas should be researched according to local and municipal rules. Possession of real estate is often a requirement for licensing prior to application submission. Due to the heavy restriction on Louisiana cannabis license numbers an overall zoning guide is not given.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is commercial cannabis cultivation and processing?

Cannabis cultivation is the process of growing cannabis within a regulated environment for the consumption via a medical or adult-use cannabis program. Generally cultivation refers to the agricultural activities associated with the propagation and growing of cannabis. Cannabis processing is when you manufacture finished cannabis products, packaging of dried flowers or manufacture and package cannabis-based products (i.e. extracts, edibles, and topicals). To be able to produce cannabis and cannabis derived products commercially a specific license is required, requirements depend on the state in which you are locating this business.

How much will I need to spend for a cannabis cultivation license and facility?

The fees for a cannabis cultivation license vary greatly depending on the state in which the facility is to be located. Also facility build out costs vary greatly depending on the type of cannabis cultivation facility (indoor, mixed-light green house, outdoor). Depending on the facility type a cultivation facility can range from 2 million to 20 million dollars.

Who is currently licensed to grow cannabis in Louisiana?

Louisiana’s medical cannabis regulations only allow for two (2) licensed cannabis cultivators to operate, servicing all of the state’s licensed medical cannabis pharmacies. Louisiana State University is licensed through a partnership with Wellcana Group, the second license is held by Southern University through a partnership with Ilera Holistic Healthcare. Until Louisiana approves adult use of cannabis or expands their medical cannabis facility licensing there are no additional cultivation licenses to be held within the state.

How many licensed marijuana pharmacies are in Louisiana?

Currently there are nine (9) licensed medical cannabis pharmacies in Louisiana. The state is broken into nine (9) regions with one medical cannabis dispensary per region. For more information related to the existing medical cannabis pharmacies please visit the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy website using this link.

Does Louisiana allow edibles?

Yes, Louisiana allows for medical cannabis to be processed into tinctures, edibles, oils, and capsules which are then distributed to licensed pharmacies. The program did not originally allow for smokable cannabis, this was approved in 2021.

Don't Know Where To Begin? Get Started Now

Applying for a Louisiana Cannabis License and unsure where to start?

Cannabis in Louisiana is not currently accepting applications for medical cannabis facility licenses. However due to the limited number of Louisiana cannabis cultivators and retail outlets it is possible that this process reopens as the program continues to grow. Now is the time to get ahead of the process by defining your business. CLE can develop a preliminary business and feasibility plan to help give an understanding of business viability within the local climate and give a head start in this process.

In order to get started, reach out to one of our regulatory experts today to learn more about Cannabis Business Solutions.