If you live in Louisiana and are looking to purchase Delta 8 but wondered, "Is Delta 8 legal?", well you're in luck!
Since both hemp laws in Louisiana are parallel to Federal laws and regulations, Delta 8 THC products are readily available, and you can easily buy and sell most Delta 8 THC products in the state.
Let's dive right in and take a look at the legal stance that Louisiana has taken in regard to hemp products like Delta 8 THC and review some of the best places to buy high-quality Delta 8 products.
Is Delta 8 legal in Louisiana?
Yes, Delta 8 THC is legal for Louisiana residents to use, possess, sell, distribute, produce, and manufacture under state law.
How is Delta 8 legal in Louisiana? This is possible because Louisiana state law and federal law surrounding industrial hemp have been aligned since the passing of the Agriculture Improvement Act, often referred to as the 2018 Farm Bill. This piece of federal legislation allows industrial hemp and hemp derivatives to be used and sold at the federal level.
There are some exceptions however, consumable hemp products like Delta 8 THC may be legal but not all hemp-derived products that contain Delta 8 are. Delta 8 inhalable products such as vapes and flower are still illegal.
Delta 8 Legislative History in Louisiana
Shortly following the passing of the Farm Bill which is when the federal government legalized hemp and hemp compounds across the US, Louisiana followed suit.
Louisiana enacted House Bill 491 in 2019, which was an essential piece of legislation that legalized hemp and hemp-derived compounds within the state in line with the 2018 Farm Bill. This house bill also removed hemp and all hemp-derived compounds from the state's list of controlled substances.
Specifically, this defines industrial hemp as the plant Cannabis sativa and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
Where to Buy Delta 8 THC in Louisiana?
Even though you can find Delta 8 THC in many major cities in Louisiana such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette, many choose to bypass their local vape shop and instead purchase online, having their products shipped to their door.
Not only is buying Delta 8 online easier, but it is also cheaper and gives you far more options, allowing you to fully vet and find a reputable retailer. Truth be told, there are low-quality sometimes shady companies selling Delta 8 THC in Louisiana. You should be cautious of convenience stores, head shops, gas stations, and some vape shops selling subpar products.
Quality and transparency should be paramount when shopping for anything that you will be putting in your body. Everyday Delta not only believes this but is committed to vetting every single vendor they carry to prevent low-quality, contaminated, improperly labeled, or dangerous cannabis products from ever ending up in customers' hands.
You also have the ability to preview every third-party lab test to confirm the products you are buying are pure, safe for consumption, and meet all federal legal requirements. These test results protect consumers and give them peace of mind that the products they are consuming do not contain harmful chemicals and by-products.
Which Product Types are not Legal in Louisiana?
First and foremost, all Delta 8 THC must be made from hemp and not from marijuana to be considered legal in Louisiana. Since Delta 8 THC does occur naturally in both hemp plants and marijuana, it is important to know that only Delta 8 THC derived from hemp is legal.
The unfortunate news is that inhalable hemp-derived products like Delta 8 THC vapes and flower are not legal in the state.
Lastly, as of earlier this year, Delta-9 THC-O and Delta-8 THC-O products have been considered controlled substances by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and are not considered hemp products.
Is Recreational Marijuana Legal in Louisiana?
No, recreational marijuana is illegal in Louisiana although Louisiana is a state with relatively relaxed recreational marijuana laws.
In fact, in mid-2021, Governor John Bel Edwards signed House Bill 652 which decriminalized the simple possession of marijuana when in small quantities. This bill states that possession of 14 grams or less of marijuana is punishable by no more than a $100 fine. Prior to this bill, that would have gotten you either a $300 or $500 fine or even six months in jail. Usually, jail time was reserved for repeat offenders.
If caught in possession of more than 14 grams, the penalties become much stricter and range from significant fines all the way to extended jail times depending on the quantity and severity of the intent.
Is Medical Marijuana Legal in Louisiana?
Yes, medicinal marijuana is legal in Louisiana.
Ever since Act No. 874 of the Louisiana legislative session in 1991 medical marijuana has been legal in some fashion. Initially, qualifying conditions were limited to glaucoma and cancer however Louisiana's tightly regulated medical marijuana legislation has undergone some changes recently.
Three significant medicinal cannabis laws have been passed by state lawmakers since the Coronavirus pandemic. Each of these bills allowed the medical program to flourish and allow much easier access to patients under state law.
HB 211 was enacted to protect both financial institutions and medical professionals, HB 418 specifically set out to protect hospitals and HB 819 is what allowed medical practitioners to now prescribe medical marijuana to patients with any chronic or debilitating condition.
This is a drastic change from the original days of medicinal cannabis in Louisiana. Then, things got even better for cannabis patients, in 2021 Governor John Bel Edwards signed HB 391, which reversed Louisiana's ban on smokable cannabis flower for medical patients.
What Does the Future of Delta 8 THC Look Like for Louisiana?
With constantly evolving laws, just because Delta 8 THC is locally and federally legal today doesn't mean that it will always be the case in the future. However, for cannabis users in Louisiana, the future of hemp does look bright. There is currently no upcoming state legislation that could alter the legality of Delta 8 THC.
We see the future of hemp products like Delta 8 THC and the cannabis industry as a whole depending on resellers selling only the best Delta 8 THC products backed with lab reports that show compliance with federal law. Failure to do this will likely hurt the hemp industry and could pose a public safety concern which would spark further regulations and restrictions.
Frequently Asked Delta 8 Questions?
Is Delta 8 THC legal in Louisiana?
Yes, hemp-derived Delta 8 THC is legal in the eyes of the state and federal law as long as it is derived from hemp plants and contains no more than .3% Delta 9 THC on a dry weight basis.
Is CBD legal in Louisiana?
Yes, hemp-derived CBD is legal in Louisiana.
Can you pass a drug test with Delta 8 THC in Louisiana?
No, even though Delta 8 THC is legal, it is a form of THC. THC metabolites will be present in your body when using Delta 8. Standard drug tests do not differentiate between THC that is legally derived from hemp or THC derived from marijuana.
Can you travel to Louisiana with Delta 8?
Yes, since hemp-derived Delta 8 THC is legal in Louisiana you can travel with it within the state. You cannot travel to or possess marijuana or marijuana-derived THC while in Louisiana.
Is possession of Delta-8 a felony in Louisiana?
No, hemp-derived Delta-8 THC remains fully legal in both state and federal law ever since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill.
What happens if I get pulled over in Louisiana with Delta-8?
While Delta 8 THC is legal in Louisiana, you should not drive or operate a vehicle while under the influence. Doing so may result in prosecution.
Final Thoughts, Delta 8 in Louisiana
Coming in at roughly 50% the potency of Delta 9 THC and an even lower risk of unwanted side effects such as anxiety and paranoia, hemp-derived Delta 8 THC products have quickly become a favorite amount both beginners and sensitive cannabis users.
While the hemp plant offers many therapeutic benefits, Delta 8 THC products are best to be bought through a reputable online store. Companies like Everyday Delta are here if you want to ensure you are getting the highest quality, third party-tested, hemp products at affordable prices.
Enjoy buying and using Delta 8 THC in Louisiana!
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