Does arthritis qualify for a medical card in Louisiana?
Very likely. Louisiana doesn't limit certification to a fixed list — providers can recommend cannabis for conditions they believe it will help. That includes patients with arthritis when the provider agrees it's appropriate.
Yes. Louisiana law lets an authorized clinician recommend marijuana for any condition not otherwise listed that they consider debilitating for the individual patient.
About arthritis
Moderate evidence. Arthritis-specific trials are few, but arthritis pain falls under chronic pain, where the National Academies found substantial evidence of benefit. Many patients prefer topicals for joint pain.
Symptoms Louisiana patients most often hope to ease:
- Ongoing joint pain in the knees, hips, hands or back
- Stiffness after rest or first thing in the morning
- Pain that interrupts sleep
- Reduced ability to walk, grip or exercise
- Reliance on pain relievers that cause side effects
Read more: medical marijuana for arthritis.
How to get certified in Louisiana
- Find an authorized clinician in good standing with their licensing board. The state does not publish a list of clinicians who recommend.
- Have an evaluation so the clinician can confirm a debilitating condition and set up a genuine clinician-patient relationship.
- The clinician sends the recommendation by a method the state allows. You do not need to apply for a state card.
- Choose an LDH-permitted marijuana retailer or satellite location and bring a valid photo ID.
- Buy within the limit of 71 grams of flower every 14 days.
Louisiana allows the evaluation by telehealth, so you can see a Louisiana-licensed provider by video. Our evaluation starts at $79 and is charged only if you're approved.
Costs and timeline
- State fee: No state fee (no patient card or registry)
- Card lasts: Set by doctor
- Processing: No state card to wait for
- Patient limit: Set by your recommendation
- Home grow: Not allowed
- Recreational sales: Not legal
- First visit online: Yes
See the full Louisiana cost breakdown and Louisiana program overview.
Other qualifying conditions in Louisiana
- ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
- Alzheimer's disease
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Cachexia & wasting syndrome
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Crohn's & IBD
- Epilepsy & seizures
- Fibromyalgia
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
See every qualifying condition in Louisiana
Arthritis in nearby states
- Arthritis in Arkansas
- Arthritis in Mississippi
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for arthritis?
How long does certification take in Louisiana?
Can I renew online in Louisiana?
Sources
- LDH Medical Marijuana
- RS 40:1046 - Recommendation and sale of marijuana for therapeutic use
- Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners - Notice regarding medical marijuana recommendations via telemedicine
- Louisiana Board of Pharmacy Bulletin 24-02 (2024 new laws, Act 693)
- Act 693 (HB 376) of 2024 - Enrolled
- Louisiana Laws - visiting qualifying patient provisions
- National Academies — The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017)
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Laws change — confirm details with your state agency. State facts last checked October 7, 2026.