Prospective pardon for simple possession of marijuana.
New Orleans City Code § 54-506
in effectSec. 54-506. - Prospective pardon for simple possession of marijuana.
(a) It is the policy of the Council of the City of New Orleans that the arrest, prosecution, and punishment of individuals solely charged with simple possession of marijuana presents greater harm to the health, safety, and welfare of the city than the act of possession itself.
(b) Any violation of section 54-505 occurring on or after September 1, 2021 shall be deemed pardoned immediately upon and by operation of law the issuance of a summons.
(c) Any summons issued solely for a crime pardoned under subsection (b) shall be deemed revoked and automatically void without need for any court appearance by the accused. Upon the issuance of a summons for a crime pardoned under subsection (b), no additional police action shall be required relative to the marijuana charge pardoned hereunder.
(d) A pardon under subsection (b) shall not preclude a police officer from taking all customary incidental investigatory actions that would otherwise be available to an officer with a reasonable suspicion or probable cause to believe that a crime of marijuana possession has occurred or from charging an individual with any other crime for which probable cause exists.
(M.C.S., Ord. No. 28743, § 1, 8-5-21, eff. 9-15-21)
Source: City of New Orleans, Code of Ordinances and Home Rule Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/la/new_orleans/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH54CRCO_ARTVIIOFGE_S54-506PRPASIPOMAFetched: 10/28/2026