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Alabama Becomes the 37th State to Legalize Medical Cannabis

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Alabama Becomes the 37th State to Legalize Medical Cannabis

Just over a week after receiving the medical cannabis bill, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed SB 46 into law. This makes Alabama, one of the more conservative states in the country, the 37th state to legalize medical cannabis in some capacity for its citizens. 

SB 46

The bill allows the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission to establish a medical cannabis program for qualifying patients within the state of Alabama. There are 20 conditions that qualify for medical cannabis use. Physicians can also recommend cannabis use for patients, but must go through a four-hour continued education course to be able to do so. They will also have to update their certificate every two years to continue recommending cannabis to their patients. 

This measure is conservative, and activists still have concerns about it. Medical cannabis cannot be smoked, vaped, or added to food. Medical cannabis is only allowed as capsules, lozenges, oils, suppositories, or topical patches. Despite concerns, activists are still cheering for the medical cannabis legalization in Alabama.

Opposition

Governor Ivey did receive some pressure from conservative lawmakers. They were asking her to add on a zero tolerance amendment for citizens with cannabis in their system while driving. This amendment saw proposal during the regular session, but did not receive approval. 

And even though SB 46 passed the House of Representatives with a 2-to-1 vote, some lawmakers opposed to legalization who held an almost 10 hour long filibuster to stall the vote. 

Future

Governor Ivey signed the medical cannabis bill as is, after “thoroughly reviewing it” as she had said she would. In a Twitter post, Governor Ivey says, “I would like to thank Sen. Tim Melson & Rep. Mike Ball for their hard work over the last few years & their commitment to continue to work on this to ensure we have a productive, safe & responsible operation in AL.”

The program will begin at the beginning of 2022. More information will come out this summer for dispensaries to apply for licenses, physicians to take their continued education courses, and for qualifying patients to request their medical cannabis cards. 

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