Legal Debate Continues Over Alabama Medical Cannabis Licences

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The road to medical cannabis access in Alabama remains blocked as a legal battle unfolds over the methods employed in selecting companies for the potentially lucrative licenses.

In the heart of Montgomery County, Circuit Judge James Anderson firmly dismissed a plea from the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission on Thursday. The request had sought to defer a court hearing linked to allegations that the commissioners engaged in undisclosed deliberations prior to their designation of the winning enterprises on August 10. Judge Anderson held that the scheduled court hearing would proceed as planned in the upcoming week.

The commission had appealed for a postponement, citing the need to reconvene and designate new victors without resorting to closed-door sessions. An attorney representing the commission asserted that a fresh vote would effectively nullify any reservations stemming from the prior clandestine meeting.

In a court document, William H. Webster, legal representative for the commission, conveyed, “While AMCC holds a differing stance on the aforementioned criticism and maintains that its conduct during the August 10 assembly remained consistently compliant with the law, it nonetheless appreciates the fact that these unwarranted challenges are depleting valuable time for Alabama’s citizens who are reliant on medical cannabis.”

Legal counsel for the businesses vying for licenses expressed their apprehensions to the presiding judge, cautioning that the commissioners’ intentions might simply be to “affirm” their earlier decision.

Will Somerville, a legal representative for Alabama Always, a company not selected for a license, voiced concerns about a selection process marred by issues. These encompassed concerns regarding the assessment of companies and the modus operandi of the meetings.

Somerville remarked to the press, “The entire procedure has been enshrouded in secrecy. Such opacity runs counter to the principles underpinning the functioning of our government in this nation.”

In a significant turn of events in 2021, Alabama’s legislators overcame years of resistance to enact a program permitting the utilization of cannabis for specific medical conditions. However, this potential remedy remains beyond reach for patients due to the state’s ongoing efforts to formulate regulations and grant licenses to cultivators and distributors.