Alabama Seeks to Expand Medical Cannabis Licensing

The proposed bill mandates the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) to validate all licenses issued from June to December of the previous year by June 15. It suggests expanding the number of dispensary licenses from four to seven, increasing processor licenses from four to six, and issuing 15 integrated facility licenses. These integrated licenses would permit businesses to cultivate, process, and distribute medical cannabis under one umbrella.

State Sen. David Sessions, who sponsored the bill, articulated that the primary objective is to alleviate the legal entanglements faced by the commission. Alabama’s medical cannabis licensing has encountered several delays due to a variety of legal issues, ranging from accusations of inconsistencies in scoring data to allegations of violating open meetings laws and improper license revocation.

The AMCC’s efforts to streamline the licensing process have been met with multiple lawsuits, challenging the fairness and legality of the commission’s decisions. Despite three rounds of licensing, the commission continues to face legal scrutiny.

Critics of the bill, such as attorney Will Somerville, argue that the proposed legislation fails to address the fundamental issues at play. Somerville contends that the bill would not end the controversy or litigation but could exacerbate the situation by legitimizing licenses that were initially awarded under questionable circumstances.

The bill, which aims to add new licenses to the program, is currently under review by the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee. It represents the latest chapter in Alabama’s ongoing efforts to provide medical cannabis to those in need, amidst challenges in regulating and licensing the emerging industry.