Louisiana

Louisiana pioneered the Southern regulatory model for hemp-derived intoxicants and now operates what industry observers describe as one of the most robust state frameworks in the country — ‘robust’ meaning both comprehensive and restrictive. HB 491 (2019) legalized hemp and removed hemp-derived cannabinoids from Louisiana’s controlled substances list. HB 758 (2022) created a formal ‘adult-use consumable hemp product’ class, raised the age gate from 18 to 21, established an 8mg/serving cap, and added packaging/labeling/testing requirements. Act 752 (HB 952, 2024), effective January 1, 2025, then tightened everything: the per-serving cap dropped from 8mg to 5mg; beverages were capped at 5mg per 12oz minimum container with a maximum of 4 containers per package (killing large multi-packs); edibles were capped at 5mg/serving and 40mg/package with mandatory individual wrapping; all inhalable consumable hemp — vapes, cartridges, dabs, flower, prerolls — was banned outright at retail; gas stations and convenience stores were prohibited from selling consumable hemp (with a limited exception for qualifying truck stops); and mandatory 21+ ID verification became universal. Two agencies split oversight: the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) handles retail licensing and enforcement, while the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) handles product-by-product registration under La. R.S. 3:1483 — every SKU must be registered and approved before sale, at a fee capped at $50 per product. The approved-product list is distributed to ATC and law enforcement. Bars and restaurants can continue selling hemp-derived beverages on-premise only if they held permits before Act 752 took effect; no new hemp/alcohol permits are being issued. Alcoholic hemp beverages are prohibited. Louisiana AG Liz Murrill co-signed the November 2025 NAAG letter to Congress urging federal action on intoxicating hemp. A hemp-industry lawsuit filed in the Middle District of Louisiana challenges Act 752 as unconstitutional and preempted by the 2018 Farm Bill; after initial dismissal, plaintiffs refiled with amended claims and the case remains active as of July 2026. Louisiana-based brands like Crescent Canna and Basin Street Beverages (Louie Louie) have publicly opposed the federal Section 781 cliff and lobbied for a congressional fix. The federal cliff on November 12, 2026 will invalidate essentially every current Louisiana-compliant hemp beverage SKU — the state’s 5mg/serving standard exceeds the federal 0.4mg/container ceiling by 12.5x.