New Louisiana abortion, marriage laws take effect Thursday

BATON ROUGE (AP) - More than 260 new laws are taking effect in Louisiana as August begins.

Starting Thursday, people must be at least 16 years old to marry. Medical marijuana patients can inhale cannabis. Women seeking abortions via medication are limited to Louisiana's three abortion clinics, rather than a doctor's office.

Parents who scuffle with referees at children's sport events face new penalties. Animal shelters can't take in stray or unwanted animals solely to euthanize them for research facilities or sell animals for research or experimentation.

Louisiana agencies can't deny or revoke an occupational license when someone falls behind on student loan repayments. Anti-hazing laws get tougher, with new provisions aimed at forcing colleges to report allegations more quickly.

Lawmakers passed the measures in the regular legislative session that ended in June.