Louisiana has a diverse culture and a long history of saying no to cannabis. In the 1920s, the state made it illegal, and it has some of the strictest punishments for having cannabis in the whole country.
Even though it’s against the law, a lot of people in Louisiana still use cannabis, either for medical reasons or just for fun. A survey from 2018 found that about 9.4% of people in Louisiana, who are 12 years old or older, said they used cannabis in the past year. That’s a bit less than the national average, which is 10.9%.
But do you know which part of Louisiana has the most people using cannabis? According to the same survey, it’s Orleans Parish, which includes New Orleans.
In that area, 14.6% of people said they used cannabis in the past year, much higher than the state and national averages.
Why is Orleans Parish Considered Louisiana’s Marijuana Capital?
Why is Orleans Parish known as the weed capital of Louisiana? There are a few reasons:
1. Diverse Culture and Tolerance: New Orleans, where Orleans Parish is located, is culturally diverse and known for its tolerance. It has a lively music, art, and food scene, including the famous Mardi Gras festival.
2. Tourism: New Orleans attracts millions of visitors globally. Some of these visitors may bring or look for cannabis during their stay.
3. Lenient Cannabis Laws: Compared to other parts of the state, New Orleans has relatively relaxed cannabis laws. In 2016, the city passed an ordinance reducing penalties for simple cannabis possession to fines instead of jail time.
4. Medical Cannabis Program: Louisiana established a medical cannabis program in 2015, which started operating in 2019. While it’s strict and only allows non-smokable forms, it might have increased cannabis availability and awareness in the state.
While Orleans Parish leads in cannabis consumption, other parishes with high rates include St. Tammany (12.8%), Lafayette (11.9%), and East Baton Rouge (11.7%). On the flip side, some parishes, like St. Helena (3.8%), Tensas (4.1%), and West Carroll (4.2%), have very low cannabis use rates.
Penalties for Cannabis Possession in Louisiana
In Louisiana, the consequences for having cannabis depend on how much you have and if it’s not your first time.
- If you’re caught with 2.5 lbs or more, it’s seen as distributing or growing it. This means you could get at least one year in prison, up to 20 years, and be fined up to $50,000.
- If someone over 25 gives any amount of marijuana to someone under 18, they could face a minimum of 10 years in prison, up to 30 years.
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To Conclude
In short, Orleans Parish is considered Louisiana’s “marijuana capital” for various reasons. The lively culture, diverse population, less strict local laws compared to other areas in the state, and involvement in the medical cannabis program all play a role in higher marijuana use rates.
Although Louisiana still has strict penalties for possession, especially in larger amounts, New Orleans’ special atmosphere creates a more accepting attitude towards cannabis.
As the national discussion on marijuana legalization progresses, it will be intriguing to see how Orleans Parish and Louisiana handle the shifting landscape, finding a balance between cultural acceptance and legal rules.
