House Bill No. by Representative Newell seeks to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for the cultivation, processing, and sale of cannabis in Louisiana by enacting new chapters in the Louisiana Revised Statutes. The bill empowers the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to oversee the cannabis industry, including the issuance of licenses, conducting criminal history checks, and setting suitability criteria for applicants. It specifies that no person or entity may engage in cannabis-related activities without a license, limits the number of production facility licenses to ten, and outlines the responsibilities of the commissioner, including the development of a seed-to-sale tracking system and the imposition of civil penalties for violations.

Additionally, the bill introduces various fees associated with cannabis operations, such as a nonrefundable application fee not exceeding $2,500 and a production facility license fee capped at $100,000. It establishes strict conditions for transporting cannabis, mandates that all contracts related to cannabis operations be public records, and prohibits the sale of more than one ounce of cannabis per day to an individual. The legislation also ensures that medical marijuana patients and existing therapeutic marijuana license holders retain their rights and are granted licenses without needing to reapply. Overall, the bill aims to create a regulated and accountable cannabis industry in Louisiana while ensuring compliance with legal standards.