Cybersecdn- Louisiana has a lot of different cultures, and they have always said no to weed. Back in the 1920s, the state made it illegal, and its drug laws are some of the toughest in the country. Many Louisianans still use cannabis, even though it’s against the law. They do it for fun or medical reasons. A poll from 2018 in Louisiana found that 9.4% of people 12 years or older said they had used weed in the past year.
That’s a little less than the 10.9% statewide norm. But do you know where in Louisiana the most people use cannabis? The same poll says it’s Orleans Parish, which is made up of New Orleans. A lot more people in that area—14.6%—than in the state or country said they had used cannabis in the past year.
Why Is Orleans Parish Known as The Marijuana Capital of Louisiana?
Why is Louisiana’s Orleans Parish called the “weed capital”? Because of these things:
1. A variety of cultures and a reputation for tolerance: New Orleans, which is home to Orleans Parish, is known for its tolerance and variety of cultures. It has a lively art, food, and music scene, and it’s home to the famous Mardi Gras event.
Tourism: Every year, millions of people from all over the world come to New Orleans. Some of these guests may bring weed with them or look for it while they’re here.
3. weed laws that are easy to follow: New Orleans’ weed laws are not as strict as those in other parts of the state. As of 2016, the city passed a law that instead of jail time for simple cannabis possession, people would be fined.
4. Medical Cannabis Program: In 2015, Louisiana set up a medical cannabis program that began running in 2019. Even though it’s strict and only allows non-smoking forms, it may have made cannabis more accessible and raised knowledge in the state.
While Orleans Parish has the highest rate of cannabis use, St. Tammany (12.8%), Lafayette (11.9%), and East Baton Rouge (11.7%) also have high rates. On the other hand, very few people in St. Helena (3.8%), Tensas (4.1%), and West Carroll (4.2%) say they use weed.
Louisiana has laws against having cannabis. What happens if you have weed in Louisiana depends on how much you have and if it’s not your first time.
Being caught with 2.5 pounds or more is seen as spreading it out or making it bigger. You could spend at least one year in jail, up to twenty years, and pay a fine of up to fifty thousand dollars.
Anyone over the age of 25 who gives marijuana to someone under the age of 18 could get at least 10 years in jail and up to 30 years.
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To Conclude
Orleans Parish is known as Louisiana’s “marijuana capital” for several reasons. Higher rates of marijuana use are caused by a lively society, a diverse population, less strict local laws than in other parts of the state, and people who use medical marijuana.
Even though Louisiana still has strong laws against possession, especially of larger amounts, the unique atmosphere of New Orleans makes people more open to cannabis.
It will be interesting to see how Orleans Parish and Louisiana deal with the changing situation and find a balance between law rules and cultural acceptance as the national debate on marijuana legalization moves forward.