Louisiana Enacts Stricter Penalties for Marijuana Offenses Near College Campuses
Louisiana has implemented Act 305, a new law that significantly increases penalties for marijuana-related offenses occurring within 2,000 feet of school property, including public and private colleges and universities. The law, which became effective on August 1, allows for a sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000 for violations of the state's controlled-substances law. This applies to activities such as smoking, vaping, or otherwise abusing controlled substances on school property, within the 2,000-foot zone, or on a school bus. For Nicholls State University, this 2,000-foot boundary extends beyond the campus into surrounding neighborhoods, potentially affecting students in off-campus residences or at social gatherings. Nicholls University Police Chief Alexander Barnes emphasized that marijuana use on or around campus could now lead to felony charges for faculty, staff, students, and guests. The university police department plans to comply with the law and collaborate with other a...
