Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson files legislation to legalize and decriminalize recreational marijuana in Louisiana but wants the final decision to be made by the voters. Nelson said about 16 states have legalized cannabis and most have done so by ballot initiative.
“The legislature has to give the people the ability to have that vote and we’ve seen that similarly with sports betting and fantasy sports and I think it’s worked out pretty well and I think people are kind of familiar with the process,” said Nelson.
The measure would have to require two-thirds of members of the House and Senate’s approval, plus more than 50-percent of voters. Nelson said if the majority vote in favor, marijuana would be decriminalized across the state.
“But only in the parishes that voted in favor of it would it be legal to sell or grow it. So, we are only going to issue licenses to sell or grow in those parishes that vote in favor,” said Nelson.
Nelson said most lawmakers he’s spoken with are open to allowing their constituents to vote on legalization and if approved it would most likely go on the fall ballot of 2022.
“I’ve also proposed the taxation piece and the regulatory piece already with this so that hopefully, we can kind of expedite the process and not take three or four years to get this going,” said Nelson.
A recent survey shows that two-thirds of residents support the legalization of marijuana in Louisiana.
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