Skip to content

Focused On

  • Katrina20
  • Justice
  • Living with Industry
  • NOLA Public Schools

Main Navigation

The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate
The Lens
  • Subscribe
  • ❤ Donate

Focused On

  • Katrina20
  • Justice
  • Living with Industry
  • NOLA Public Schools

Topics

  • Criminal Justice
  • Environment
  • Government & Politics
  • Land Use
  • Schools

Sign Up for the Latest News

  • The Lens Newsletter
  • About The Lens
  • Our Staff

Follow The Lens

  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Listen to Behind The Lens Podcast

  • Spotify
  • Katrina20
  • Criminal Justice
  • Schools
  • Opinion
  • In the N.O.
  • Environment
  • Podcast
  • About The Lens
  • Support Us

Author: Betty DiMarco and Lane Trippe

Exterior of the NOLA Cannabis Co. dispensary on South Carrollton Avenue in New Orleans, with a red sign on the building behind a chain-link fence and large oak trees framing the sidewalk.

Smoke and mirrors in cannabis zoning

September 30, 2025 Updated October 28, 2025
In New Orleans, marijuana dispensaries — like the one opening soon in our community — can be granted a permit without any neighborhood notice. And in Louisiana, unlike other neighboring states, dispensaries can open up next to a library, elementary school, church, or daycare.

About The Lens

The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region. Staunchly defending the public's right to know and deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.

Support The Lens

We depend on your support. A generous gift in any amount helps us continue to bring you this service.

Donate Now

Newsletter

Sign up

Most Popular

Fossil fuel spokespeople ask Louisiana academic to help promote carbon captureFossil fuel spokespeople ask Louisiana academic to help promote carbon captureAugust 9, 2024Sara SneathEnvironment
New Orleans City Council bans facial recognition, predictive policing and other surveillance techNew Orleans City Council bans facial recognition, predictive policing and other surveillance techDecember 18, 2020Michael Isaac SteinCriminal Justice
Council passes ‘guardrails’ ordinance on police use of facial recognition, but does not require approval of judgeCouncil passes ‘guardrails’ ordinance on police use of facial recognition, but does not require approval of judgeAugust 4, 2022Nick ChrastilCriminal Justice
The Lens
The Lens fights to reveal and report on issues that impact the community and the region. Staunchly defending the public's right to know and deeply committed to sharing our knowledge with the community at large. We center human impact in all our work.
  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
INN Member LION Member
© 2024 The Lens. All Rights Reserved.
The Lens

Your Support Powers Every Story We Tell


Our reporting serves our community. Rooted in New Orleans. Stories that serve you. Through Dec. 31st, NewsMatch will match your donation, up to $1,000. Donate now to support local news.

Donate Today