State lawmakers are facing several controversial topics in the current legislative session. 

Medical marijuana, guns in the classroom, and video cameras in nursing home rooms were just a few of the topics that passed and failed during the regular session.

A medical marijuana dispensary could be just months away from opening in Lafayette. State lawmakers are considering legislation that would expand medical marijuana law to cover ailments including PTSD and pain disorders.

“I’ve always thought if somebody has a debilitating disease medical marijuana should be a discussion between that patient, that physician, that family member and no one else,” says Senator Fred Mills.

Medical marijuana has technically been legal in Louisiana for more than four decades but was never functional.

Members voted 8-4, this bill now moves to the house floor for consideration.

The house committee on criminal justice blocked a bill that would have allowed teachers or school staff to carry weapons.

Lawmakers debated the issue for more than two hours.

Raymond Garofalo the representative from Chalmette who authored the bill says teachers would only carry weapons after extensive training.

This measure failed by a slim 7-9 margin.

A bill that allows cameras in nursing home rooms has moved forward in the House of Representatives.

If the bill passes the Senate, it would allow video surveillance equipment to be used in patients rooms. This would allow families to monitor their loved ones from a distance.

Helena Moreno told Louisiana Radio Network that cameras would benefit both patients and caregivers.

She says, “With a camera in a room, you can actually see the actual incident that happened. A camera in a room will be able to prove that yes this may have been some type of accident.”

A 95-0 vote sent the bill to the Senate.

The regular session ends June 4th. Visit our website our election headquarters tab for more on the regular session.