Republican State Senator's New Bill To Resolve Alabama's Medical Marijuana Licensing Deadlock Viewed As 'Another Delay'

State Senator Tim Melson (R) introduced a new medical marijuana bill to help resolve the ongoing license issuance problem. 

Even though medical marijuana was legalized in 2021 and the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) awarded a limited number of licenses, the market rollout was stalled due to the multiple lawsuits by unsuccessful applicants. 

In February, state Senator Larry Stutts (R) called the state's medical marijuana industry ‘corrupt or incompetent.' 

Challenges facing marijuana markets and ideas on how to resolve them will be one of many crucial topics discussed by a slew of industry experts at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference next week.

New Bill Highlights 

Melson's new bill, SB306, would require the Alabama Securities Commission (ASC) to set up a five-member review panel to determine if applicants meet "basic eligibility requirements for licensure," writes 1819 News. 

Only those businesses that have applied for integrated licenses before the initial deadline in Dec. 2022 would be eligible and allowed to update their applications. The ASC will then ascertain if the cultivation and dispensing stores are ready to start before a license is awarded. 

After the ASC review panel determines eligibility, the AMCC would score the remaining eligible applicants on various criteria, including specific financial requirements. The top five applicants would be awarded integrated licenses.

"I just think it's a good, clean way to try to get this program going. It's just right now it is unfortunately, I hate to say it's just a mess but it's just a mess," Melson told reporters on Tuesday. "This should have been established a long time ago. It should be up and running. I'm just trying to get it back on track."

Melson added he doesn't want to increase the number of integrated licenses to avoid market oversaturation. 

Another Setback? 

While Melson says he is trying to speed up the market rollout, some people in the industry are worried that this bill may cause another setback. 

Specialty Medical Products of Alabama CEO Ray French told the outlet that Melson's bill seems to be an "attempt at a redo to me plain and simple. This is another delay, another rehashing to try to shuffle the deck to favor some different group of people or favor somebody that didn't get one the first time. It's an attempt to just upend and make the commission redo everything they've already done."

French's company was awarded an integrated license in December.

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is returning to Florida, in a new venue in Hollywood, on April 16 and 17, 2024. The two-day event at The Diplomat Beach Resort will be a chance for entrepreneurs, both large and small, to network, learn and grow. Renowned for its trendsetting abilities and influence on the future of cannabis, mark your calendars – this conference is the go-to event of the year for the cannabis world. Get your tickets now on bzcannabis.com – Prices will increase very soon!

See Also: Alabama Eases MMJ Access For Patients In Medical Facilities

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