Louisiana may be seeing sunshine on a cloudy day. 2016 hasn’t started off the best for the state, especially for newly inaugurated Gov. John Edwards who just took office in January. Currently, Louisiana is experiencing a serious budget crisis that has taken a huge hit on many state funded programs, created hiring freezes, and really bruised higher education. This situation is to not be taken lightly and is a serious matter. So serious, that lawmakers are suggesting the legalization of recreational marijuana. State Representative Dalton Honore proposed House Bill 117 , which allows any person over the age 21 to possess, distribute and dispense recreational marijuana. If this bill is to pass, it would make Louisiana the fourth state to join in on the wave behind  Colorado, Washington and Alaska.  Rep. Dalton Honore proposed this bill in  efforts of assisting with lowering crime rate and generating an increase in revenue, which is what the state needs terribly right now. The possibility of colleges closing because they have ran out of money personally hurts my heart. The bill is currently scheduled to be reviewed by the criminal justice committee and if passes, the final decision will be made at the November 2016 elections.  New Orleans mayor, Mitch Landrieu has signed into law, a new ordinance on March 23, 2016 which decriminalizes marijuana possession. This means instead of getting arrested, law enforcement will issue tickets out when caught with illegal marijuana. Tickets will range 40-100 depending on severity. This will go into effect on June 21, 2016! Louisiana also has legalized medical marijuana although doctors cant prescribe it, only recommend it (what good does that do?) So, it seems lawmakers are warming up to the idea of legalized marijuana! What are your thought? Do you think its a good idea if they allow marijuana for recreational use? Let us know!