HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — In May 2021, Governor Kay Ivey put her signature on a law authorizing medical cannabis in Alabama. More than four years later, medical cannabis remains unavailable in the state, but it appears the disputes that have led to delays and court fights may finally be addressed, once and for all.
An administrative hearing process is set to be undertaken, led by Bernard Harwood, a former Alabama Supreme Court associate justice. No schedule for the investigative hearings has yet been announced.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission's license awarding process has come under sharp scrutiny, and the commission voted three different times on license awards. Some companies that did not receive licenses have argued that the process was flawed and violated the law.
The court challenges have been ongoing for years, but the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals ruled earlier this year that the license disputes should be governed by Alabama's Administrative Procedure Act, which includes a hearing officer and presentations and challenges to – in this case – license awards.
Licenses for medical cannabis include testing, dispensing, transport, processing, cultivating and integrated facilities, which include each of those steps other than testing.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission told News 19 it is looking into those investigative reviews taking place.
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