A Louisiana bill that would allow some terminally ill patients in Louisiana to use medical cannabis in hospitals is now on Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk to approve or veto.
Senate Bill 270, which was filed by State Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews (D), passed in the House of Representatives in a 53-45 vote, after it had previously passed the Senate by a 33-2 margin. Because the House did not make changes to the Senate-approved version, SB 270 will go directly to Landry.
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SB 270 would apply to qualified patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal and irreversible condition and recommended to use cannabis. It excludes patients in behavioral health units and emergency or outpatient hospital departments.
Under the bill, hospitals would have to create written guidelines allowing qualified patients to consume medical cannabis on-site. Importantly, it does not create a free-for-all inside hospitals.
Instead, smoking and vaping cannabis is still prohibited, and patients must provide a copy of their medical marijuana recommendation. Healthcare professionals and staff would be prohibited from administering, storing, or assisting the patient with medical marijuana.
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The bill does not require hospitals to recommend or provide medical marijuana. However, it generally requires covered healthcare facilities to permit qualified patients to use it, while allowing facilities to suspend compliance if federal regulators or the U.S. Department of Justice take certain enforcement actions.
As therapeutic medical marijuana is already legal in Louisiana, this bill was created “at the request of constituents,” according to Jackson-Andrews. It solves a patient problem, as without the bill, a person who may legally qualify for medical marijuana might lose practical access when admitted to a hospital or care facility.
The proposal follows similar efforts in several states to allow qualifying medical cannabis patients to continue treatment while receiving inpatient care
If signed by Landry or allowed to become law without signature, SB 270 would take effect on August 1, 2026.