Today, I’m writing to urge you to support House-passed bills that reform cannabis laws, including HB 137, HB 629, and HB 1028. HB 137 would give legal protections for verified out-of-state medical cannabis patients while they are visiting our state. Our family and friends who visit us should not fear prosecution for using their medicine. HB 629 would stop warrantless searches of homes based on the smell of cannabis. With over 40,000 medical patients in Louisiana and raw hemp legal in our state, the smell of cannabis should not be a reason for a warrantless search of an individual’s home. HB 1028 takes jail off the table for people caught in possession of cannabis paraphernalia. Last year, the legislature made possession of small amounts of cannabis a fine-only offense. This bill would harmonize the law for items people use to consume cannabis. Can I count on your vote to approve these commonsense bills?

I am writing to you today, as my elected senator, to ask you to support several bills recently passed by the House of Representatives. Last year, the legislature passed HB 652, which made possession of small amounts of cannabis a fine-only offense. This year’s HB 1028 would treat the equipment people use to inhale cannabis the same way. I hope you agree it makes no sense to jail someone for a cannabis pipe when the cannabis itself is punishable by a fine only. Please support this sensible bill. HB 629 would protect our constitutional rights by requiring a warrant to search a person’s home based on the smell of cannabis. With medical cannabis and hemp (which is part of the cannabis family) legal in Louisiana, HB 629 makes sense. Finally, HB 137 would give legal protections to visiting medical cannabis patients. In a state that depends on tourism, it makes sense to provide legal protections for visiting patients. Almost three-quarters of states now have medical cannabis laws. Just as visitors aren’t required to forgo their prescription medications when they cross state lines, visiting medical cannabis patients shouldn’t be criminalized in Louisiana. I urge you to vote “yes” on these important bills.