The Louisiana senate has passed two bills that will expand the list of conditions that are eligible for treatment with medical marijuana. The new legislation is set to go into effect this summer.
On Wednesday the Louisiana senate voted to pass two separate bills which seek to increase the accessibility of medical marijuana by patients in the state. Previously, only people suffering from a list of highly “debilitating medical conditions” were eligible for medical marijuana. This included conditions like cancer, AIDS, Crohn’s disease and epilepsy.
Now, patients who suffer from glaucoma, severe muscle spasms, intractable pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and Parkinson’s disease can access medical marijuana thanks to House Bill 579. The second bill, House Bill 627, also adds autism to the list of eligible conditions.
The bills will now go up for a vote on May 16 before heading to Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards’ desk.