Baton Rouge, LA: House and Senate lawmakers have approved legislation (HB 568) imposing significantly enhanced criminal penalties for anyone who consumes marijuana on or within 2,000 feet of any school or university property. The bill awaits action from Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, whose staff had previously testified in support of the enhanced penalties.
Under the proposal, “smoking, vaping, or otherwise abusing” cannabis on campus or within proximity of school property will become a felony offense, punishable by one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Violators will likely not be eligible for either probation or parole.
The bill’s sponsor said that passage of the measure will “ensure that [marijuana] violations in school zones result in real, enforceable consequences.”
The bill’s advancement marks a change in direction for lawmakers, who in recent years had advanced efforts to lessen certain marijuana-related penalties. Specifically, former Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards signed legislation in 2021 removing the threat of jail time for low-level cannabis possession offenses.
According to statewide polling, most Louisianans “favor” legalizing cannabis for adults.
NORML’s legislative action alert opposing HB 568 is available in the Take Action Center.