Politics

Medical cannabis bill clears Alabama Senate committee

Published on February 19, 2020 · Last updated July 28, 2020
Alabama is making strides toward legalizing medical marijuana. (allard1/AdobeStock)

A bill to legalize medical cannabis cleared its first hurdle Thursday in the Alabama Legislature, giving hope to advocates after years of setbacks.

Audience members applauded as the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 8-1 for the bill, putting it in line for a Senate floor vote later this session.

The bill by Republican Sen. Tim Melson would allow people to be prescribed medical marijuana for 15 conditions including cancer, anxiety, and chronic pain, and to purchase cannabis products at a licensed dispensary. The bill would allow marijuana in forms such as pills, gelatinous cubes, oils, skin patches, gels, and creams but not products consumed by smoking or vaping.

'This bill is not about getting high. This bill is about getting well.'

Advocates crowded into a public hearing at the Alabama Statehouse to watch the debate and tell lawmakers their stories.

“This bill is not about getting high. This bill is about getting well,” said Dr. Alan Shackelford, a Colorado doctor who described the success of using medical marijuana in people with seizures and cancer.

Christi Cain said her son Hardy’s debilitating seizures have been helped by CBD oil, now legal, in Alabama, but said the higher doses that could help him more aren’t legal in the state.

“An area code shouldn’t affect one health’s care. If Hardy didn’t live in Alabama, he could be seizure-free. We shouldn’t have to be and don’t want to be medical refugees,” Cain said.

The bill drew opposition from some law enforcement and conservative groups. They expressed concern about dosing, safety, and the potential for abuse.

“Just because we put the word medical in front of marijuana does not make it medicine,” Shelby County Sheriff’s Capt. Clay Hammac said.

Pastor Rick Hagans described addicts he buried. He said while they obviously didn’t overdose on marijuana, they started their drug use with pot.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall sent lawmakers a letter expressing his opposition, and noting that marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries

Medical marijuana advocates have for years made little headway in Montgomery.

A medical marijuana bill in 2013 won the so-called “Shroud Award” for the “deadest” bill that year in the House of Representatives. A bill cleared the Alabama Senate last year, but the idea faces continued skepticism in the House of Representatives.

Related
Hell’s Getting Chilly: Alabama & Mississippi Take Up Cannabis Reform

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
The AP is one of the world's largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering.
View The Associated Press's articles
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App Store
Download Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play




* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2024 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.