Bill to allow medical marijuana in Alabama advances

The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill Sen. Tim Melson, a Republican from Florence.

The approval came on a voice vote after the committee waded through about 15 amendments, adopting some. There were some no votes, but there is no recorded vote on a voice vote.

Committee moves the bill a step closer to becoming law, although more votes are ahead. The bill next goes to the House Health committee. If approved there, it could come to a vote on the House floor for the first time.

“I think it’s got a good chance to get through Health,” Melson said. “And then when we go to the floor, we’ll just see what happens.”

Melson’s bill would set up a commission that would oversee regulations of medical cannabis products from cultivation of the plants all the way through production and sales at dispensaries.

Melson is a physician and medical researcher who says the weight of evidence and experiences in other states favors giving people in Alabama a chance to try medical marijuana for chronic pain, sleep disorders, seizures, muscle spasms, nausea and weight loss from cancer and other ailments and other symptoms and conditions not relieved by conventional medicines.

Doctors could recommend medical cannabis products to patients, who would receive a medical cannabis card and be placed in a state registry.

Melson’s bill would not allow the use of raw plant materials or products that can be smoked, and it would not allow food products containing marijuana, like cookies or brownies.

The Senate approved Melson’s bill in February. It has passed the Senate three times but has never had a vote on the House floor.

The Judiciary Committee was scheduled to consider the bill last week, but the chairman, Rep. Jim Hill, R-Moody, postponed it for a week because he said lawmakers wanted to discuss changes to the bill with Melson.

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AL  https://www.al.com/news/2021/04/will-alabama-become-37th-state-to-allow-medical-marijuana-well-know-more-today.html