HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — It has been more than four years since Alabama legalized medical cannabis, and that program is still not underway and no patients have access.
But there are signs of progress – if no timetable yet.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission told News 19 today that administrative law hearings — related to challenges to the commission’s cannabis business license awards — are underway.
Advocate Jennifer Boozer Stewart, communications director for the Alabama Cannabis Coalition, said there is some movement.
“In spite of four years of lawsuits and licenses being given and taken back, I do know right now, the administrative appeals process for dispensary licenses has been underway since August 29,” she said. “They predict that process will be over by October and from what I’m told we could see open dispensaries by the end of the year, but take that date with a grain of salt.”
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission says integrated facility license challenges would be next, but no timetable has been set.
Stewart points there are still a number of hurdles associated with a medical cannabis rollout in Alabama.
She cited the still outstanding requirement for a physician education program and an approved list of participating doctors. Stewart said there are also challenges for growers who have produced multiple cannabis crops but still have no market to sell them.
And, Stewart says, there still does not appear to be a vendor or program set up for approval cards which will be needed by patients to get access to medical cannabis.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission meets again on Oct. 8, more answers are likely to emerge from that meeting.
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