Alabama: Medical Marijuana by the end of 2023?
10/13/2023
The implementation of Alabama's medical marijuana program has been a labyrinthine journey fraught with legal hurdles and delays. Despite these challenges, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission is steadfast in its mission to award licenses to growers and distributors by year's end, following multiple lawsuits over the selection process.
The Commission convened on Thursday, adopting an emergency rule for a new process to determine license winners. In a fresh approach, companies will now present their cases directly to the Commission. Commissioners will also take into account scores previously awarded to application submissions. Chairman Rex Vaughn describes the situation as a "reset," expressing the Commission's commitment to make use of the progress already achieved.
While the timeframe for license selection hinges on ongoing legal proceedings with applicants, Vaughn remains optimistic. He hopes that the newly devised process will address the concerns raised, thereby enabling the Commission to make awards by the end of the year.
However, the reality remains that more than two years after the state approved the creation of a medical marijuana program, patients in Alabama are still unable to access this treatment. This delay has been exacerbated by the state's struggle to establish rules and regulations, coupled with the prolonged process of awarding licenses, mired in lawsuits.
Accusations abound from losing companies who allege the Commission used a flawed selection process. They claim there was no consideration given to a company's capacity to begin marijuana production promptly, and they criticize the perceived secrecy of deliberations prior to license award.
One of the plaintiff companies, Alabama Always, through its representative lawyer, Will Somerville, anticipates that the new system will allow them to present their case directly, explaining their ability to commence cultivation faster than any other bidder.
Patients like Amanda Taylor, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, find the slow rollout of the medical marijuana program immensely frustrating. Taylor, who previously lived in Arizona where medical marijuana is available, asserts that marijuana provides relief for the painful spasms associated with her condition.
Despite years of resistance, Alabama lawmakers in 2021 approved the creation of a program to allow marijuana to be used for certain medical conditions. For patients like Taylor, the outcome of this labyrinthine journey isn't about getting high - it's about accessing a much-needed form of healing.
Reference
The Commission convened on Thursday, adopting an emergency rule for a new process to determine license winners. In a fresh approach, companies will now present their cases directly to the Commission. Commissioners will also take into account scores previously awarded to application submissions. Chairman Rex Vaughn describes the situation as a "reset," expressing the Commission's commitment to make use of the progress already achieved.
While the timeframe for license selection hinges on ongoing legal proceedings with applicants, Vaughn remains optimistic. He hopes that the newly devised process will address the concerns raised, thereby enabling the Commission to make awards by the end of the year.
However, the reality remains that more than two years after the state approved the creation of a medical marijuana program, patients in Alabama are still unable to access this treatment. This delay has been exacerbated by the state's struggle to establish rules and regulations, coupled with the prolonged process of awarding licenses, mired in lawsuits.
Accusations abound from losing companies who allege the Commission used a flawed selection process. They claim there was no consideration given to a company's capacity to begin marijuana production promptly, and they criticize the perceived secrecy of deliberations prior to license award.
One of the plaintiff companies, Alabama Always, through its representative lawyer, Will Somerville, anticipates that the new system will allow them to present their case directly, explaining their ability to commence cultivation faster than any other bidder.
Patients like Amanda Taylor, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, find the slow rollout of the medical marijuana program immensely frustrating. Taylor, who previously lived in Arizona where medical marijuana is available, asserts that marijuana provides relief for the painful spasms associated with her condition.
Despite years of resistance, Alabama lawmakers in 2021 approved the creation of a program to allow marijuana to be used for certain medical conditions. For patients like Taylor, the outcome of this labyrinthine journey isn't about getting high - it's about accessing a much-needed form of healing.
Reference
