Alabama Judge Appoints Mediator in Medical Cannabis Licensing Dispute

LOS ANGELES- A judge in Alabama has appointed a mediator to help resolve the ongoing legal dispute surrounding the state’s medical cannabis licensing process. Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson selected retired Judge Eugene Reese to mediate between the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) and several companies that have challenged the commission’s decisions. These companies argue that the process for awarding licenses to grow, transport, and sell medical cannabis was flawed.

This legal battle has been ongoing for months, with multiple rounds of licensing awards being contested. The AMCC had initially selected five companies for integrated licenses, which allow businesses to handle every stage of cannabis production from cultivation to retail. However, these selections were blocked by the court after several unsuccessful applicants raised concerns about the fairness of the process. The mediation is seen as a step towards breaking the deadlock, though it is uncertain how long it will take for a resolution to be reached

The delays in licensing have postponed the implementation of Alabama’s medical cannabis program, which was approved by state lawmakers in 2021. The program has faced repeated setbacks, and it remains unclear when patients will be able to access medical cannabis products in the state