New state laws for 2025 will impact unemployment benefits, voting, further regulate THC and CBD, and make it necessary for restaurants to post where their seafood originated.

Unemployment benefits will only be available for 12 weeks now, not 26, as in the past. The law, according to supporters, is intended to get people back to work quicker; however, Invest in Louisiana siad it believes the new law will increase hardships for people who need the money the most.

Unemployment benefits average $245 per week in Louisiana. The minimum check can be as little as $35, and the max amount for a weekly check  is $275. It depends on the total amount of wages paid during the base period. Only in Mississippi and Arizona is the benefit less.

Not all of Louisiana’s unemployed workers receive unemployment. Only 11% do, one of the lowest percentages in the country, and that’s because of restrictions on who qualifies, according to a NOLA.com report.

Unemployment is higher in other parts of the state than in Calcasieu, where the average is the same as the state average, at 4.3 percent for 2024. In East Carroll Parish, unemployment was at 9.2%. In West Carroll Parish it was at 7.2%, and in Madison Parish it was at 6.7%.

Citizenship, THC and seafood 

Voters will need to provide proof of citizenship in upcoming elections — and only immediate family members can turn in (in person) mail-in or absentee ballots.

People and organizations will also be prohibited from handing out application forms for mail-in ballots.

THC and CBD items sold after Jan. 1 are not allowed to have more than 5 mg of tetrahydrocannabionol and cannabidiol in the gummy, vape cartridge or drink.

Gas stations.convenience stores will not be able to sell any products with THC at all.

One Calcasieu Parish convenience store owner who stocked gummies with Delta 8 and Delta 9, but no other CBD or THC products, said that his year began with a loss. He had to destroy $2,600 worth of product to be in compliance.

Restaurants that serve imported crawfish or shrimp and use printed menus must tell customers that dishes may contain imported crawfish or shrimp. If they don’t have a printed menu, the information should be posted on a sign. Customers cannot be misled to believe seafood is of Louisiana origin. The fine for the first offense is between $200 and $500.