Discussions around medical marijuana legalization appear to be becoming a national trend and Louisiana is no different.Watch reportDuring this year’s legislative session, lawmaker in Baton Rouge will take up legislation, which could legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.Rep. Austin Badon (D-La.) co-authored a bill that would legalize medical marijuana.Badon says because cannabis can come in different forms such as oil or flakes, the drug could help people dealing with different ailments.Badon said lawmakers must hash out how the drug will be processed, its chemical compound and where patients could purchase it."We can really control the medical marijuana. And I think that if we can do anything to help control epileptic seizures, cancer, or any type of those maladies that certain physicians say medical marijuana helps them, I think we should explore that,” Badon said.Badon said he hasn’t made up his mind about potential legislation that would support recreational use.On a similar note, Badon authored a House Bill 14. That bill would reduce the criminal penalties for simple marijuana possession.Colorado raked in about $2 million from taxes on recreational marijuana in January, the first month it was legal to sell non-medicinal pot in the state.On Jan. 1, Colorado became the first state to permit the sale of recreational marijuana to anyone age 21 or older.Related:Jindal's priorities for legislative session: Job training, legal system, human traffickingColorado gets $2 million from marijuana taxesMedical pot refugees: 'Our only hope'State-by-state look at marijuana laws25 facts about marijuanaSign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!

Discussions around medical marijuana legalization appear to be becoming a national trend and Louisiana is no different.

Watch report

During this year’s legislative session, lawmaker in Baton Rouge will take up legislation, which could legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Rep. Austin Badon (D-La.) co-authored a bill that would legalize medical marijuana.

Badon says because cannabis can come in different forms such as oil or flakes, the drug could help people dealing with different ailments.

Badon said lawmakers must hash out how the drug will be processed, its chemical compound and where patients could purchase it.

"We can really control the medical marijuana. And I think that if we can do anything to help control epileptic seizures, cancer, or any type of those maladies that certain physicians say medical marijuana helps them, I think we should explore that,” Badon said.

Badon said he hasn’t made up his mind about potential legislation that would support recreational use.

On a similar note, Badon authored a House Bill 14. That bill would reduce the criminal penalties for simple marijuana possession.

Colorado raked in about $2 million from taxes on recreational marijuana in January, the first month it was legal to sell non-medicinal pot in the state.

On Jan. 1, Colorado became the first state to permit the sale of recreational marijuana to anyone age 21 or older.

Related:

Jindal's priorities for legislative session: Job training, legal system, human trafficking

Colorado gets $2 million from marijuana taxes

Medical pot refugees: 'Our only hope'

State-by-state look at marijuana laws

25 facts about marijuana

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