The Alabama Medical Cannabis Association has formally launched and named Patrick Lindsey as executive director, effective immediately.
Lindsey is a native of Butler, Alabama, and has lived in Montgomery for over 25 years. He worked in governmental affairs for 17 years, running and managing successful political campaigns for various candidates and lobbying the state legislature on diverse issues.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Association’s mission is “to protect and promote a rational and compassionate approach to Alabama’s emerging medical cannabis regulatory framework, to serve as a responsible resource for policymakers, and to support and cultivate homegrown business opportunities for the medical cannabis industry in Alabama.”
“I am excited to announce the official launch of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Association,” Lindsey said in a press release. “It is a true honor to serve as the first executive director of this novel association, which is launching at the perfect time to advance the well-being and future of Alabamians.
“With illicit and deadly fentanyl lacing street drugs and the opioid epidemic ravaging communities across our state, there has never been more of a need for safe, controlled, medically prescribed cannabis in Alabama,” Lindsey continued. “This association will work diligently every single day to ensure Alabama’s medical cannabis system is a commonsense operation that successfully saves lives, eases suffering, promotes law and order, and supports Alabama agriculture and small businesses. There is nothing more important than the health and safety of Alabama families, and this association will be their champion.”
Alva Lambert is the association’s Deputy Director.
The Alabama State Legislature passed medical cannabis legislation in the Spring of 2021 and tasked the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission with regulating the new industry.
On September 1, the Commission began allowing applications for interested Alabamians to apply to be a licensed medical marijuana grower, transporter, processor, dispensary operator, or vertical integrator.
It is estimated that it will be late 2023, at the earliest, before Alabamians can purchase Alabama-grown medical cannabis.
