New Hope For Alabama Medical Marijuana Program As Judge Considers Revising Licensing Restrictions

Efforts by Alabama medical cannabis patients and advocates who called for an expedited process to overcome bureaucratic challenges hindering the program's rollout seem to be paying off. Implementation of Alabama's medical marijuana program, legalized in 2021, was postponed due to ongoing legal challenges.

Finally, on Tuesday, a Montgomery County Circuit Court judge held a hearing during which attorneys representing the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission and companies seeking licenses shared their arguments. Judge James Anderson's previously issued temporary restraining order is preventing the AMCC from issuing licenses.

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The judge is considering revising a temporary restraining order. More precisely, whether to permit investigative hearings to proceed, as the move could significantly advance the licensing process for vertical integration and dispensaries, reported Green Market Report's Adam Jackson.

Read Also: ‘Real-Life American Hero’ And Veteran Can’t Get His Medicine As Alabama Medical Cannabis Legal Saga Continues, Activists Say Enough Already

Paula Savchenko, who is behind Pure by Sirmon Farms LLC, one of the companies awarded a cultivation license in the initial round conducted by the state regulatory body called, the move "a step in the right direction."

Should the judge alter the order, an administrative law judge will be designated to handle hearings, who would then provide a recommendation to the AMCC, which the regulatory body could choose to modify or accept. Savchenko said, "we're about two, three months out from that."

So far, AMCC managed to award, but not issue licenses to businesses that have applied to enter the state’s medical market.

In December 2023, the Alabama cannabis regulator awarded 20 medical cannabis licenses for the production, distribution, dispensing and testing of medical marijuana (MMJ) as well as five of the most coveted permits – the integrated facility licenses, which allow for vertical integration. This move came after several failed attempts to allocate licenses. Subsequent restraining orders issued by Judge Anderson prevented the issuance of licenses.

In July, the judge let the commission advance with its investigative hearings.

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