Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) is a state agency created in 2021 by the Darren Wesley "Ato" Hall Compassion Act (Act of Alabama 2021-450 to regulate the cultivation, testing, transport, distribution and sale of products made from marijuana (cannabis sativa) for approved medical treatments.

The activities of the 12-member commission are funded by license fees and a 9% tax on gross sales. It selected John McMillan, then Alabama State Treasurer, to serve as its executive director. The commission meets twice a month at the Alabama State House in Montgomery.

Members

Licensees

Under the law, the application process for licenses began on September 1, 2022. The commission planned to license as many as 12 cultivators, 4 processors and 4 dispensaries (with up to 3 locations each). In addition, up to 5 integrated companies could be licensed to grow, process, transport and dispense medical cannabis, with that type of license allowing up to 5 dispensary locations per company.

In the first year of licensing, 90 companies applied for approval by the commission, from which 23 were selected during a closed meeting on Monday June 12, 2023. Due to faults in the process, the AMCC awarded a new set of licenses on August 10 of that year, but then rescinded those as well. After revising its regulations, the AMCC began a new round of hearings in late 2023 with a goal of announcing awards in December of that year and issuing actual licenses in January 2024. In the December 2023 meeting the commission resorted to drawing names from a bowl to decide the order in which otherwise identically-scored applicants would be brought up for a vote. A Montgomery County Circuit Court judge paused the granting of licenses to consider issues raised in multiple lawsuits.

June 2023

August 2023

December 2023

References

  • Cason, Mike (May 10, 2021) "What’s in Alabama’s medical marijuana bill?" The Birmingham News
  • Cason, Mike (May 17, 2021) "Gov. Kay Ivey signs Alabama’s medical marijuana bill." The Birmingham News
  • Cason, Mike (September 9, 2021) "Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission wants plants in ground next year." The Birmingham News
  • Cason, Mike (September 9, 2021) "Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission picks State Treasurer John McMillan as executive director." The Birmingham News
  • Cason, Mike (June 12, 2023) "These are the 21 companies the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission awarded licenses." AL.com
  • Willis, Alexander (June 14, 2023) "Who are they? The 21 companies selected for medical marijuana." Anniston Star
  • Thrailkill, Laurel (August 11, 2023) "These Birmingham businesses were awarded medical cannabis licenses." Birmingham Business Journal
  • Cason, Mike (October 9, 2023) "Bill sponsor says Alabama needs to end delays of medical cannabis program." AL.com
  • Cason, Mike (October 12, 2023) "Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission tries to fix stalled license process." AL.com
  • Cason, Mike (October 26, 2023) "Alabama medical marijuana commission hopes new licensing plan can deliver products by spring." AL.com
  • Thrailkill, Laurel (October 30, 2023) "Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission rescinds all business licenses." Birmingham Business Journal
  • Cason, Mike (December 1, 2023) "20 companies awarded licenses to start Alabama’s medical marijuana industry." AL.com
  • Yurkanin, Amy (December 6, 2023) "Alabama chose marijuana licensee by random drawing this time, and is sued again." AL.com
  • Cason, Mike (December 12, 2023) "Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission picks 5 companies for integrated licenses." AL.com
  • "Alabama judge puts a temporary hold on medical marijuana companies." (January 4, 2024) Associated Press
  • Cason, Mike (March 11, 2024) "Alabama’s medical marijuana program on hold at least another month." AL.com

External links

Retrieved from "http://bhamwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Alabama_Medical_Cannabis_Commission&oldid=213454"