Louisiana Gov. Signs Bill Enhancing Penalties for Smoking Cannabis on College Campuses

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) has signed a bill that will jail individuals for smoking cannabis within 2,000 feet of high school and college campuses. In a statement posted to X last week, Landry said he was “tired of going…to college and high school campuses and being inundated with the smell of marijuana.” 

“And I’m tired of seeing drugs littering our high school and college campuses, hurting out students. These drugs take away from the family friendly environments that out colleges are supposed to be – especially on game day.” — Landry in a statement posed to X 

The law creates strict penalties for smoking or vaping on or within 2,000 feet of a school property or school bus by allowing for jail terms up to one and a half times the longest authorized term, with the sentences ineligible for parole, probation, or suspension. The law also permits those convicted of solely cannabis offenses to serve up to one year in jail, with or without hard labor, and pay a $1,000 fine.   

In the statement, Landry said the bill “takes a massive step” in protecting children. The bill takes effect August 1.