eric g johnson law
  • Home
  • Attorneys
    • Eric G. Johnson
    • Rachel W. Bays
    • M. Joy Reger
    • Eric M. Whitehead
    • Staff
    • Client Testimonials
  • Criminal Defense
    • Appeals & Post-Conviction Relief
      • Criminal Appeals
      • Post-Conviction Relief
    • Arson and Criminal Mischief
    • Assault and Battery
      • Aggravated Assault and Battery
    • Criminal Expungement
      • Louisiana Expungement Laws
    • Domestic Violence
      • Domestic Abuse Battery
      • Protective Orders
      • Violation of Protective Order or TRO
    • Drug Offenses
      • Drug Possession
        • Cocaine Possession
        • Drug Possession with Intent to Sell or Distribute
        • Heroin Possession
        • Marijuana Offenses
        • Meth Possession
        • Possession of Date Rape Drugs
        • Prescription Drug Offenses
      • Drug Trafficking
      • Drug Court
    • DUI/DWI
      • DUI Defense Strategies
      • DUI with a CDL
      • Refusing DUI Tests
      • Repeat DUI/DWI Offender
      • Underage DWI
      • Vehicular Homicide
    • False Imprisonment
    • Juvenile Offenses
      • Juvenile Sex Crimes
      • Minor in Possession of Alcohol
    • Public Intoxication
    • Resisting an Officer
    • Sex Offenses
      • Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile
      • Child Pornography
      • Online Solicitation of a Minor
      • Pimping and Pandering
      • Prostitution
      • Rape
      • Sexual Battery
      • Video Voyeurism
    • Stalking
    • Theft
      • Burglary
      • Credit Card Fraud
      • Identity Theft
      • Robbery
      • Shoplifting
      • Welfare Fraud
    • Traffic Violations & CDL Licenses
      • Hit and Run
      • Reckless Driving
    • Violation of Probation
    • Violent Crimes
      • Murder
      • Manslaughter
    • Weapons Offenses
    • White Collar Crimes
      • Embezzlement
      • Money and Asset Forfeiture
      • Money Laundering
      • Tax Fraud and Evasion
  • Blog
    • FAQ
  • Areas We Serve
    • Bossier City
    • Caddo Parish
    • Claiborne Parish
    • Bienville Parish
    • De Soto Parish
    • Lincoln Parish
    • Ouachita Parish
    • Natchitoches Parish
    • Sabine Parish
    • Shreveport, LA
      • Shreveport Drug Defense Attorney
      • Shreveport DWI Lawyer
      • Shreveport Theft Lawyer
    • Monroe, LA
      • Monroe DWI Lawyer
    • Ruston, LA
    • Tallulah,LA
  • Recent Cases
  • Contact Us
CBD Use in Louisiana

What You Need to Know About CBD Use in Louisiana

August 3, 2020Eric G. Johnson

In recent years, the pressure to legalize cannabis has been a hot topic. Across the country, Americans have been pushing for progressive cannabis laws, and in most states, legislators have responded by passing legislation that legalizes cannabis use to varying degrees. Medical or recreational marijuana is legal in all states, excluding South Dakota, Nebraska, and Idaho. In response to the rise of legalization, a new cannabis product, cannabidiol (CBD) oil, has emerged on the market.  

If you live in a state where CBD is legal, you’ve probably noticed CBD wellness products in unexpected places. Coffee shops sell CBD lattes and beauty stores boast the benefits of their CBD skin care products. In 2019, Louisiana passed legislation that clearly defines a legal framework for CBD products. While the legislation legalized hemp-derived CBD oil and a range of other CBD products, there are a number of restrictions to be wary of. If you are unaware of specific CBD restrictions, you could unknowingly be in illegal possession of CBD products and potentially face severe consequences. 

What is CBD?

Despite CBD’s popularity, there remains a lot of confusion on what CBD is and how it differs from THC. CBD is a chemical compound that can be extracted from hemp or marijuana plants. However, in a number of states, marijuana-derived CBD is illegal.  

Most of the CBD products on the market are extracted from hemp. Hemp plants produce over 400 chemical compounds; approximately 60 of them fall under the umbrella of cannabinoids. When ingested or applied topically, the cannabinoids in CBD products interact with the natural cannabinoids found in your body’s endocannabinoid system. The resulting chemical interactions produce a range of physical effects. 

THC is responsible for producing the psychoactive effects commonly associated with marijuana, whereas CBD is thought to hold most of the plant’s therapeutic, medicinal effects. Researchers have found a number of CBD-related health benefits, including anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, CBD attracts a broad scope of consumers. Anyone struggling with mental health issues or arthritis might use CBD products to treat their condition. 

What to Know About CBD Laws in Louisiana 

In early 2019, the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy and the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) began to notify businesses selling CBD products that their products were illegal. The agencies claimed that selling CBD products was illegal because there were no state laws distinguishing hemp-derived CBD from marijuana-derived CBD. In response, Governor John Edwards signed House Bill 491, which provides a guideline for legal and illegal use of CBD in Louisiana. House Bill 491 specifies what constitutes a legal CBD product and outlines a number of regulations related to CBD labeling, production, and retail use. The most important specifications outlined in House Bill 491 include: 

  • Hemp plants with less than 0.3 percent THC are legal in Louisiana
  • CBD products derived from legal hemp plants are also legal
  • To sell any hemp-derived CBD product, you must obtain a license from the Louisiana ATC
  • All CBD products must have appropriate labeling showing that they have been tested for legal levels of THC

Illegal Possession of Cannabis Products in Louisiana

It is very important to distinguish legal and illegal possession of cannabis oils. Although a lot of progress has been made in cannabis legislation, illegal possession of cannabis products is a serious offense. In Louisiana, any CBD or THC oil derived from the marijuana plant is illegal.

Many states, including Louisiana, classify THC as a Schedule 1 drug. If you are caught in possession of products with an illegal percentage of THC, you could be at risk for penalties, fines, and incarceration. 

Contact a Louisiana Marijuana Defense Attorney

If you’ve been arrested for possession of products containing an illegal percentage of THC, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. At John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, we have the expertise and experience to best represent your case in court. Attorney Eric Johnson knows how to devise a winning defense strategy. With over 25 years of experience, he is a problem solver who is committed to thoroughly investigating your case. To schedule a free consultation, call (318) 377-1555 or complete our online contact form. 

Recent Posts

  • Have Domestic Violence Incidents Increased During COVID-19 in Louisiana?
  • What Are the Penalties for Drugged Driving in Louisiana?
  • What Are the Effects of a Drug Conviction for Non-U.S. Citizens?
  • Why Do Crimes Spike During the Holidays?
  • Common Types of Crimes Committed in Louisiana During the Holidays

Archives

  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017

Practice Areas

  • Appeals And Post Conviction Relief
  • Louisiana Murder Defense Attorney
  • Criminal Defense
  • Criminal Expungement
  • Domestic Violence And Protective Orders
  • Drug Offenses
  • DUI And Vehicular Homicide
  • Louisiana Sex Offenses Attorney
  • Traffic Violations And CDL Licenses
  • White Collar Crimes

Contact Us

Attention: While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice
John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC
LinkedIn
Yelp

John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC
Office: 318-377-1555 | Fax: 318-377-1559
national association of criminal defense lawyers
lsba
criminal defense attorney louisiana
2018 top rated lawyer

John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC
415 Main Street,
Minden, LA 71055

Areas Served: 
 Serving the entire State of Louisiana including Minden, Ruston, Monroe, Shreveport, Bossier City, as well as Caddo, Webster, and Ouachita parishes.
Ⓒ 2020 Eric John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC. Privacy Policy. Legal Website Powered by Market My Market