Company asks judge to block Alabama medical marijuana licenses
A company that failed to win a potentially lucrative medical marijuana license in Alabama asked a judge Tuesday to block the state from issuing the licenses to anyone, arguing a state commission improperly deliberated in private before selecting the winners. The filing is the latest legal skirmish in the battle over who will get licenses to grow and distribute cannabis for the state’s developing medical marijuana program. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission on Thursday nominated and approved companies after meeting in private for several hours. Alabama Always, a company that was not among the winners, said the commission violated the Open Meetings Act, and is seeking a temporary restraining order to block the licenses from being issued. The filing said commissioners “retreated into executive session, only to emerge three and a half hours later and ratify a slate of applicants that it had voted on during executive session.” “It is painfully clear now that the Commission continues to believe that it can conduct its business in private and observe the (Open Meetings Act) only by violating it,” the filing stated. William Webster, attorney for the commission, said last week that commissioners met in private to receive information about the license applicants but did not deliberate in private, al.com reported. After emerging from the private meeting, commissioners nominated companies to receive the licenses and voted on them during the public portion of the meeting. Commissioners voted on the licenses after voiding their original selections made in June because of what was described as human errors in the scoring of applications. The commission selected 24 companies to receive licenses, many of which were among the original winners. Alabama lawmakers in 2021 ended years of resistance and approved the creation of a program to allow marijuana to be used for certain medical conditions. However, it is not available yet to patients because the state has to develop rules and award grower and distributor licenses. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Medical Marijuana Commission awards cannabis industry licenses
On Thursday, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) awarded medical cannabis licenses to 24 different entities for the inaugural Alabama cannabis industry – under authority granted to the Commission by the Alabama Legislature in 2021. Five entities were granted integrated facility licenses: · Insa Alabama, LLC · Flowerwood Medical Cannabis, LLC · Southeast Cannabis Company, LLC · Sustainable Alabama, LLC · TheraTrue Alabama, LLC In June, Flowerwood, Southeast Cannabis, Sustainable Alabama, and TheraTrue were awarded integrator licenses by the AMCC as well as Verano Alabama, LLC. Those license awards were suspended just days later after the AMCC discovered tabulation errors in the tabulation of the scores. Verano was not awarded a license in this do-over by the Commission, but Insa Alabama was. Seven entities were awarded cultivator licenses on Thursday: · Gulf Shore Remedies, LLC · Pure by Sirmon Farms, LLC · Blackberry Farms, LLC · Twisted Herb Cultivation, LLC · I AM FARMS · Greenway Botanicals, LLC · CRC of Alabama, LLC In the previous round of awards, Blackberry Farms, LLC, Gulf Shore Remedies, Pure by Sirmon Farms, and Twisted Herb Cultivation all received awards. All four still received awards on Thursday, but they were joined by I AM FARMS, Greenway, and CRC of Alabama. This was still less than the twelve maximum cultivator licenses allowed by the 2021 enabling legislation. Four entities were granted marijuana processor licenses. · Enchanted Green, LLC · 1819 Labs, LLC · Organic Harvest Lab, LLC · Jasper Development Group Inc. In June, all four of the same entities were awarded licenses. There was no change in this category on Thursday. On Thursday, the AMCC voted to give medical cannabis dispensary licenses to: · Yellowhammer Medical Dispensaries, LLC · CCS of Alabama, LLC · RJK Holdings AL, LLC · Statewide Property Holdings AL, LLC CCS of Alabama, Yellowhammer Medical, RJK Holdings, and Statewide Properties received awards in June as well. There were no changes by the AMCC in this category. Three entities were granted secure transporter licenses on Thursday. · Tyler Van Lines, LLC · International Communication, LLC · XLCR, Inc. In June, the Commission announced awards to International Communication and Tyler Van Lines. Alabama Secure Transport, LLC received an award in June but was replaced by XLCR, Inc. in Thursday’s grant awards. The AMCC awarded only one license for the certified state testing laboratory. That award went to Certus Laboratories – the same as in June. Rex Vaughn, a farmer, has replaced Dr. Steven Stokes, an oncologist, as the Chairman of the Commission. “Since the Commission’s inception, we have worked to develop a fair, honest, and equitable process to select licensees,” explained Chairman Rex Vaughn. “It is regrettable that the tabulation errors occurred. However, we have acknowledged the miscalculations and have taken the necessary steps to ensure that the data provided to the Commission was accurate. We are sincerely appreciative of the Court for allowing us to take corrective actions.” According to the AMCC, the University of South Alabama (USA) was engaged by the AMCC to coordinate the application review process and recruit evaluators to assess the scored exhibit items for all 90 applicants. USA utilized 66 evaluators with experience relevant to the application content to review one of eight scoring categories: (1) Financial Ability; (2) Business/Management Approach; (3) Operations Plans & Procedures; (4) Facility Suitability & Infrastructure; (5) Security Plan; (6) Personnel; (7) Quality Control & Testing; or (8) Marketing & Advertising. Each scored exhibit was independently reviewed by two evaluators to assess the applicant’s solvency, stability, suitability, capability, projected efficiency, and experience, both in relation to any baseline set by the Commission, as well as in comparison with other applicants. Applicants who did not receive awards in June brought a lawsuit asking a judge to stay those awards. Nothing happened on Thursday that is likely to satisfy those plaintiffs, so the next phase of this process could potentially be in a Montgomery courtroom. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Marijuana licenses expected to be awarded on Thursday
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) will meet on Thursday. On the proposed agenda for Thursday’s meeting will be awarding medical cannabis licenses. The AMCC previously awarded licenses to a number of entities in June. Days later, the Commission suspended those license awards after errors were found in the scoring of some of the applications. On Monday, Montgomery Judge James Anderson ruled that the AMCC could proceed with discussions on license applicants at their August 10 meeting, provided that the Commission abides by the Alabama Open Meetings Act. The temporary restraining order that Judge Anderson previously issued staying the licensing process will expire once the Commission announces the award of licenses on August 10. Some applicants who were denied licenses sued the Commission, and that lawsuit is proceeding. Those plaintiffs will be closely monitoring what the AMCC does on Thursday, as that directly impacts how they proceed with their litigation. The AMCC is expected to award licenses for cultivators, processors, laboratories, transporters, dispensaries, and integrated facilities. The integrator license was the license that was most in demand by applicants. Applicants were not allowed to apply in multiple categories. Chey Garrigan is the founder and CEO of the Alabama Cannabis Industry Association (ACIA). “We are confident that the Commission has resolved the scoring issues, and we look forward to working with all of the licensees as we build the medical cannabis industry into a new vibrant sector of the Alabama economy,” Garrigan said. The Commission will also have to select a new chair. Rex Vaughn, whose expertise is in agriculture, is the vice chair and is expected to be appointed as the new chairman. Former Chairman Dr. Steven Stokes resigned after receiving criticism for serving as both the Chair of the AMCC and serving on the board of the University of South Alabama. The University of South Alabama (USA) was tasked with evaluating and scoring the applications. According to some reports, USA may have made some errors in tabulating those scores leading to the suspension of the license awards. Stokes is a Dothan-based oncologist who has treated cancer patients both in Alabama, where cannabis is not a legal option, and Florida, which has had medical cannabis for years. Stokes played a key role in the 2019 Alabama Medical Cannabis Study Commission that drafted the bill that eventually became Alabama’s medical cannabis law that passed in 2021. That legislation created the AMCC and tasked it with writing the rules for creating legal, medical cannabis in Alabama and regulating the fledging Alabama medical cannabis industry. Since marijuana is presently illegal in Alabama, all of the infrastructure for the cannabis industry has to be built, the first crop grown from seed, that crop processed into an AMCC-approved form, and that product transported to the new dispensaries before any medical cannabis is sold to any patients. Possession of cannabis in its raw plant form, including seeds and plants, will remain illegal in Alabama unless you are licensed by the AMCC. No smokable products will be legally sold in the state. There will likely be more litigation even after the Commission makes its license awards on Thursday. The first legal Alabama-grown and processed medical cannabis will likely not be available until early 2024 – at the earliest. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Inaugural Alabama Medical Cannabis Conference to be held in Birmingham
The Alabama Cannabis Industry Association (ACIA) announced they are holding the Inaugural Alabama Medical Cannabis Conference on Friday, July 14, and Saturday, July 15. The conference will be at the Birmingham Sheraton Hotel at 2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North. “On June 12, 2023, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission made the historic announcement of the State of Alabama’s first legal medical cannabis license awards,” Alabama Cannabis Industry Association President Chey Garrigan said. “In the days following this landmark announcement, issues arose that raised questions about the calculations of the scores. As a result, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has stayed the formal issuing of the licensing, as has a trial court.” “Since early 2019, Alabama Cannabis Industry Association has been the only voice of Alabama’s Cannabis Industry,” said Garrigan. “From the very beginning, our focus has been on providing Alabamians with a demonstrable medical need, the same relief that most of the nation already have legal access to. Our focus has never wavered.” Garrigan said the conference will include roundtable discussions, panel topics, and networking opportunities. The conference includes learning opportunities from leaders and innovators in cannabis cultivation, retail, and extraction. The conference will provide information about the technical, operational, and strategical tools that are vital to thrive in this ever-challenging, ever-changing industry. “Our membership-based association is governed by a member Board of Directors and member Advisory Board with backgrounds in medical and adult-use cannabis licensed facility operations, as well as healthcare, law, science, law enforcement, security, commercial real estate, finance, government, and public affairs,” Garrigan said. “Our inaugural conference will feature nationally recognized experts in the cannabis space that has been featured on TED talk and widely publicized Cannabis periodicals. For more information about the conference, go to Alabamacannaconference.com. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) is the agency that the state Legislature created and tasked with regulating medical cannabis in Alabama. The AMCC recently announced that it had awarded 21 business licenses to grow, process, transport, and/or analyze medical cannabis in Alabama. Four days later, the Commission put a hold on the issuing of the licenses due to some issues with the scoring of the applications. The Commission is holding an independent review of the scoring; meanwhile, a court has put a stay on awarding any licenses pending a hearing. This puts the whole industry on hold pending the review and the outcome of the pending litigation. It will be sometime in 2024 before legal Alabama-grown medical cannabis is available in Alabama. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama medical cannabis licenses are now on hold pending review
Last Friday, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) voted to stay all proceedings related to the current offering of medical cannabis business licenses. This decision was made just four days after announcing that the Commission had voted to accept the applications from 21 entities to be licensed marijuana growers, processors, transporters, laboratories, and integrated facilities. The Commission said in Friday’s statement that the stay was issued because of AMCC’s discovery of potential inconsistencies in the tabulation of scoring data. During this pause in proceedings, the Commission will seek an independent review of all scoring data. “The Commission will work expeditiously to investigate and identify inconsistencies in the score data,” explained AMCC Director John McMillan. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are suspending all current procedural timelines until those matters are resolved.” Because the program has been suspended pending the independent review, applicants awarded a license on June 12, 2023, are not required to pay the license fee by June 26, 2023. The dozens of applicants who were denied an award of license on June 12, 2023, are not required to submit a request for an investigative hearing by June 26, 2023, as a review is already underway. All of this means that the licenses awarded on June 12, 2023, will not be issued on July 10, 2023, after all. Alabamians who had been hoping to be able to legally buy Alabama-grown medical cannabis by the end of 2023 are going to have to move that back considerably. The AMCC said that the stay will remain in effect until lifted by the Commission. Once the stay is lifted, the Commission will reconsider the award of licenses and provide a timeline for the payment of license fees, request for investigative hearings, and issuance of licenses. The University of South Alabama assisted the AMCC with scoring the applications. Alabama Today had been made aware of civil litigation that was likely coming over the award of the applications, with potential plaintiffs citing some of the perceived inconsistencies in the awards. Friday’s action by the Commission appears to be a proactive step by the Commissioners to get ahead of the courts on this. The Alabama Legislature passed, and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed, legislation in 2021, creating the AMCC. The AMCC was tasked with writing the rules for creating an Alabama medical cannabis industry and determining the criteria for businesses and farmers to be licensed to be involved in the industry. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama cannabis license awards announced
On Monday, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) met and voted to award the state of Alabama’s first-ever medical cannabis business licenses. Of the 90 applications accepted by the Commission at their meeting on April 13, just 21 were awarded licenses by the AMCC. The 2021 legislation legalizing medical cannabis in Alabama created the AMCC. It tasked the Commission with regulating the industry and awarding the permits to the integrated facilities, cultivators, secure transporters, processors, and diagnostic labs that the state will allow to participate in this industry. The medical cannabis business licenses were awarded to the following applicants. There were five integrated facility licenses awarded. These went to Flowerwood Medical Cannabis, LLC; Southeast Cannabis Company, LLC; Sustainable Alabama, LLC; TheraTrue Alabama, LLC; and Verano Alabama, LLC. Only four cultivator licenses were awarded. These went to Blackberry Farms, LLC.; Gulf Shore Remedies, LLC; Pure by Sirmon Farms, LLC; and Twisted Herb Cultivation, LLC. Four processor licenses were awarded. These went to 1819 Labs, LLC; Enchanted Green, LLC; Jasper Development Group Inc.; and Organic Harvest Lab, LLC. Four dispensary licenses were awarded. These went to CCS of Alabama, LLC; RJK Holdings AL, LLC; Statewide Property Holdings AL, LLC; and Yellowhammer Medical Dispensaries, LLC. Three secure transport licenses were awarded. These went to Alabama Secure Transport, LLC; International Communication, LLC; and Tyler Van Lines, LLC. Certus Laboratories was awarded the license to be the state’s only licensed state testing laboratory. The Legislature authorized the Commission to award up to twelve cultivator licenses, four processor licenses, four dispensary licenses, five integrated facility licenses, and an unspecified number of secure transport and state testing laboratory licenses. The Commission elected to award fewer licenses, particularly the cultivator licenses than they were allowed to by the legislation. “There was no shortage of qualified individuals and entities who provided applications for us to consider,” explained Commission Chairman Dr. Steven Stokes. “Based on the evaluators’ assessments and the Commission’s considerations, we believe that we have selected an outstanding slate of inaugural licensees to represent Alabama’s new medical cannabis industry.” At first glance, it seems like four licensed processors depending on supply from just four licensed cultivators might be problematic for processors concerned about supply. Vice Chairman Rex Vaughn, however, announced at the meeting that the Commission intends to open a second offering of licenses for cultivators, secure transporters, and state testing laboratories. “The Commission looks forward to affording more opportunities for individuals to participate in the industry,” explained Vice Chairman Vaughn. “These businesses will not only serve the patients of Alabama but provide business and job opportunities for local communities.” The University of South Alabama (USA) was engaged by AMCC to coordinate the application review process and recruit evaluators to assess the scored exhibit items for all 90 applicants. USA utilized 66 evaluators with experience relevant to the application content to review one of eight scoring categories: (1) Financial Ability; (2) Business/Management Approach; (3) Operations Plans & Procedures; (4) Facility Suitability & Infrastructure; (5) Security Plan; (6) Personnel; (7) Quality Control & Testing; or (8) Marketing & Advertising. Each scored exhibit was independently reviewed by two evaluators to assess the applicant’s solvency, stability, suitability, capability, projected efficiency, and experience, both in relation to any baseline set by the Commission, as well as in comparison with other applicants. “The Commission has worked diligently since the passage of the Darren Wesley “Ato” Hall Act to develop regulations and policies to facilitate an effective and safe medical cannabis industry,” explained Commission Director John McMillan. “We are excited to begin working with those applicants who were awarded licenses to meet the needs of so many Alabamians who are living with debilitating conditions that can benefit from medical cannabis.” The applicants awarded a license now have 14 days to pay the AMCC the appropriate license fee to the Commission. At its meeting on July 10, 2023, the Commission is scheduled to formally issue the licenses in each license category. There remains a possibility that those final license awards could be further delayed if one or more of the 69 applicants the AMCC rejected appeal the decision to the courts. Litigation, in theory, could delay this process for weeks or even months. In order for a doctor to be qualified to make a medical cannabis recommendation, they must become certified. Under the rules promulgated by the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, physicians may begin the certification process to recommend medical cannabis after the business licenses have been issued. In order for a patient to be able to purchase Alabama medical cannabis products, they must have at least one of the qualifying conditions and then receive a recommendation for medical cannabis from a certified physician. Medical cannabis products that may be recommended to patients include tablets, capsules, tinctures, gelatinous cubes, gels, oils or creams for topical use, suppositories, transdermal patches, nebulizers, or liquids or oils for use in an inhaler. Raw plant materials and any smokable or vaped products will not be allowed and will remain illegal to possess, even for those with an Alabama Medical Cannabis card. People with a legitimate medical need for cannabis should be able to purchase products in Alabama by the end of this year. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama cannabis applications to be awarded today
On Monday, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) will inform applicants whether their application has been accepted or rejected. The AMCC is tasked with regulating Alabama’s nascent medical cannabis industry. Only a limited number of permits will be accepted for farmers and businesses seeking to participate in the Alabama Cannabis Industry Ninety applications were accepted by the Commission at their meeting on April 13. The Commission will consider the following number of applications by license type: · 12 cultivator applications · 11 processor applications · 18 dispensary applications · 9 secure transporter applications · 2 state testing laboratory applications · 38 integrated facility applications The integrated facility application was the most popular. Business entities that receive an integrated facility license will be allowed to grow, process, transport, and sell medical cannabis, while the other applications strictly limit applicants to their role in the supply chain. The 2021 legislation legalizing medical cannabis in Alabama strictly limits the maximum number of licenses the AMCC can award. The Commission may award up to twelve cultivator licenses, four processor licenses, four dispensary licenses, five integrated facility licenses, and an unspecified number of secure transport and state testing laboratory licenses. The Commission was assisted in reviewing the applications by the University of South Alabama. The names of the 90 applicants and application contents (as redacted by applicants) were made available for public inspection on April 14, 2023. Public comments in favor or opposed to granting a license to a particular applicant were introduced electronically through the AMCC website between April 14 and May 14. Chey Garrigan is the founder and executive director of the Alabama Cannabis Industry Association. Garrigan said that the medical cannabis legislation that passed the Legislature in 2021 was due to broad bipartisan grassroots efforts. “This is an Alabama phenomenon,” Garrigan said. “Congratulations to all the applicants who received permits from the Commission today,” Garrigan said. (ACIA). “We in the ACIA look forward to working with you to make your business, and the Alabama cannabis industry as a whole as successful as possible.” Alabama has one of the most restrictive medical cannabis laws in the nation. No out-of-state product can be lawfully brought into the state. Dispensaries in Alabama will not fill medical cannabis orders from other states, and dispensaries in Alabama cannot market other products. Advertising is strictly limited. A patient must have one of the qualifying medical conditions, and patients must get a recommendation from their doctor. Raw plant product is still illegal; there is no lawful home-grow in Alabama. No smokable products can be sold, doctors must receive special training in order to be qualified to make cannabis recommendations, and dosage is strictly limited by statute except for terminal patients. People with a legitimate medical need for cannabis will be able to purchase products in Alabama, perhaps as soon as the end of this year. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Speaker says that Alabama will not pass recreational marijuana in the next four years
Alabama will have medicinal cannabis being sold as soon as the end of the year, but there are no plans to consider passing recreational cannabis in this session or even in the next four years. That was the message Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter told reporters following Tuesday’s legislative day. A reporter asked Ledbetter if the state would consider passing recreational marijuana. “That won’t come for years,” Ledbetter said. “That won’t come for the next four years….because the Speaker won’t let it on the floor.” In 2021 the Alabama Legislature passed – and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed – medical cannabis legislation. The legislation created the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC). The AMCC was tasked with writing rules for creating a limited Alabama-only medical cannabis industry. The Commission is formally considering applications from 90 firms and individuals who hope to become licensed Alabama medical cannabis growers, transporters, processors, dispensers, or integrators. The Alabama statute is highly restrictive, but there have been calls from some conservative groups to make that even more restrictive. Some conservative groups want to introduce legislation requiring women of childbearing age to obtain a negative pregnancy test before filling their monthly doctor-recommended medical cannabis order. That legislation is expected to be filed this week. There have also been calls for some in the industry to go in and tweak the 2021 legislation to allow more permits to be awarded or more medical conditions to be included as being treatable by medical cannabis. Ledbetter said he expects the Legislature to “tweak” the statute. Ledbetter did not say what tweaks he thought were likely. Thursday will be the fourth annual lobbying day for the Alabama Cannabis Coalition. The group will meet in Room #429 of the Alabama State House. They will host guest speakers and discuss the current decriminalization legislation, SB42, sponsored for the fourth year by Alabama State Senator Bobby Singleton, and HB13, aka “Cite and Release,” sponsored by Alabama House Rep. Chris England. The group favors both decriminalization of marijuana offenses and the legalization of marijuana, including home growing and the legalization of recreational marijuana. Tuesday was day 11 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Session. The regular legislative session is limited by the Alabama Constitution of 1901 to no more than thirty legislative days during a regular session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission moves forward with reviewing applications
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) met on Thursday to review applications from business owners looking to join the new Alabama cannabis industry. The deadline to submit an application to the Commission was December 30. While 607 groups and individuals requested application forms, only 94 turned in a completed application to the AMCC by the deadline. The AMCC met and announced that they are reviewing the applications for potential deficiencies. Chey Garrigan is the President and founder of the Alabama Cannabis Industry Association. Garrigan told Alabama Today that the state had expected more applications than it actually received. “The numbers speak for themselves. Alabama was underestimated by its residents and disregarded by industry leaders,” Garrigan said. Garrigan cited the difficulty of filling out the forms, the high capital requirements, the limitations on out-of-state ownership, the lack of smokable products, and questions about the process as to why most of the potential applicants ultimately opted not to apply. “607 is a low number of interest when compared to other states with a limited license program,” Garrigan said. The Alabama Legislature passed, and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed legislation (SB46) legalizing medical cannabis in the 2021 Alabama Regular Commission. Only applicants who submitted a Request for Business Application by that October 17 deadline were eligible to turn in a completed Business Application Form by the December 30 deadline. The Legislature intended for the law to be the most restrictive in the country. “Of the 94 that made the deadline, we are working with 72 percent of those applicants,” Garrigan said. “We have experienced application writers who have won multiple licenses in multiple states. They all said Alabama is the most meticulously comprehensive application they have ever seen. I commend the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission and the staff.” The AMCC wrote the rules for the industry over the summer – releasing the final rules in August. The AMCC began allowing potential business applicants to download the application forms on September 1. Requests for requesting application forms closed on October 17. The 94 applicants will be allowed to submit amendments and corrections to their applications in the coming months. “Along with being the most regulated state in the country, this is the most complicated application anyone in the industry has seen,” Garrigan said. “We still will have time to file amended applications to make any necessary changes. Also, the Commission will review the applications and make requests for applicants to make corrections. The applicants will have time to submit a corrected application.” The number of licenses is strictly limited by the statute. The Commission may award up to twelve cultivator licenses, four processor licenses, four dispensary licenses, five integrated facility licenses, and an unspecified number of secure transport and state testing laboratory licenses. AMCC Director John McMillan told commissioners that those are the maximum number of licenses that they can award. The Commission does not have to award that many applications. The University of South Alabama has been contracted to review all of the applications for the Commission. Only persons who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder; cancer-related pain or nausea; Crohn’s Disease; depression; epilepsy or conditions causing seizures; HIV/AIDS-related nausea or weight loss; panic disorder; Parkinson’s Disease; persistent nausea; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); sickle cell anemia; spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury; Tourette’s Syndrome; a terminal illness; or conditions causing chronic or intractable pain will be able to obtain a doctor’s recommendation for medical cannabis. Alabama law does not allow dispensing of raw plant material or smokable products. Medical cannabis products in Alabama will be limited to tablets, capsules, tinctures, gelatinous cubes, gels, oils or creams for topical use, suppositories, transdermal patches, nebulizers, or liquids or oils for use in an inhaler. Patients will have to obtain a state-issued Alabama medical cannabis card. Law enforcement has expressed concern that legalizing medical cannabis will increase the number of impaired persons driving on Alabama roadways. The first legal Alabama medical cannabis will become available later this year. The next meeting of the AMCC is on February 9 at 1:00 pm. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Webinar to be held on filing a medical marijuana application
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) is now accepting applications from individuals and companies looking for a license to be a cannabis grower, processor, transporter, dispensary operator, or integrated facility. 607 prospective applicants recently downloaded applications from the AMCC website. The Alabama Cannabis Industry Association (ACIA) is hosting a webinar on filling out applications. “With the State of Alabama soon to release cannabis business applications, the time to prepare is now,” the group explained. Ashley Picillo of Point7 and Eric Schlissel of Cure8 will join the Alabama Cannabis Industry Association (ACIA) for the webinar on Wednesday. The webinar will begin at 1:00 pm central time. The discussion will be oriented around application best practices and the application’s format, including application requirements, scoring criteria, critical components such as business and financial plans, formulating a security plan, and developing an operating plan. Persons interested can submit their questions in advance to questions@cure8.tech. The AMCC rules are 171 pages long and must be adhered to in any application submitted to the AMCC. The University of South Alabama has been tasked with sorting and reviewing the applications for the Commission. Chey Garrigan is the founder and President of the ACIA. “We look forward to speaking with prospective applicants on Wednesday,” said Garrigan. “This is an entirely new experience for everyone in Alabama, and there is a lot to learn in a very short period of time for everyone in the industry. The Alabama Cannabis Industry Association worked to pass medical cannabis legislation, and we have been working with the Commission since it’s inception.” The completed applications are due in late December. The number of licenses issued is strictly limited by the original medical cannabis legislation that was passed during the 2021 Alabama Regular Legislative session. That legislation, Senate Bill 46, was sponsored by State Sen. Tim Melson and State Rep. Mike Ball. SB46 passed both Houses of the Alabama Legislature in May of 2021 despite heavy opposition from social conservatives. SB46 was signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey. The legislation created the AMCC and tasked the Commission with writing the rules, awarding the licenses, and regulating the medical cannabis industry in Alabama. Dr. Steven Stokes chairs the Commission. The AMCC has appointed former Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner John McMillan as its executive director. The licenses to grow, process, transport, or dispense medical cannabis will be issued on July 10, 2023, at noon unless there is an appeal that is ongoing and if the Commission is able to maintain the proposed timeline. Alabama will have the most restrictive medical cannabis law in the country. Alabamians who have a documented medical need will not be able to get a recommendation for cannabis from their doctor and purchase Alabama medical cannabis until late 2023 at the earliest. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Today last day to download application forms from Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) will no longer allow prospective applicants to download paperwork for applying to grow, dispense, transport, or process medical marijuana in the state of Alabama. At 5:00 p.m. today, the AMCC website will close the portal allowing prospective applicants to download the paperwork. The portal opened, and people could download the forms following the publication of the AMCC rules on August 31. The 171 pages of rules were adopted by the Commission after a public hearing and a long public comment period over this summer. The AMCC-issued licenses to grow, process, transport, or dispense medical cannabis will be issued on July 10, 2023, at noon unless there is an appeal that is ongoing and if the Commission is able to maintain the proposed timeline. Completed applications are due in late December. The number of licenses issued is strictly limited by the original medical cannabis legislation that was passed during the 2021 Alabama Regular Legislative session. That legislation, Senate Bill 46, was sponsored by State Sen. Tim Melson and State Rep. Mike Ball. SB46 passed both Houses of the Alabama Legislature in May of 2021 despite having to overcome a nine-and-a-half-hour filibuster by social conservatives in the Alabama House of Representatives and was signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey. The legislation created the AMCC and tasked the Commission with writing the rules, awarding the licenses, and regulating the medical cannabis industry in Alabama. The Commission was appointed by Gov. Ivey as well as leaders of the legislature. The AMCC has appointed former Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner John McMillan as its executive director. Chey Garrigan is the founder and President of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Industry Association (AMCIA). “This is an exciting time for the industry and for people with a medical need treatable by cannabis,” Garrigan said. “There have been over at least 170 people download forms to look at applying for one of the licenses. There is a lot of work that an applicant has to do in order to meet all of the demands of the AMCC’s rules. The Association is busy helping applicants understand and work their way through the process.” Alabamians who have a documented medical need will be able to get a recommendation for cannabis from their doctor and purchase Alabama medical cannabis no earlier than late 2023. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Medical Cannabis Association launches, names Patrick Lindsey as executive director
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.
