A Week of Critical Presentations and Decisions
In Alabama, the Medical Cannabis Commission is in the midst of its third attempt to award medical marijuana licenses, with companies presenting their cases to secure these coveted licenses. During a week-long series of presentations, various applicants had 20 minutes each to impress the commission, highlighting their expertise and addressing any gaps in their applications.
Rex Vaughn, the Commission’s chair, emphasized the importance of these presentations in understanding the applicants’ industry knowledge and commitment. “It’s one thing to see their qualifications on paper, but it’s another to witness their passion and understanding firsthand,” he said.
The Commission is listening to proposals categorized by license types, including cultivation, processing, transportation, and dispensing of medical cannabis. The announcement of license awardees is anticipated for Friday.
Integrated facility applicants, who handle all services, are scheduled for presentations next week. This licensing process has faced challenges, with initial awards in June being rescinded due to scoring inconsistencies. A second attempt in August resulted in nearly the same companies being re-awarded, leading to multiple lawsuits alleging conflicts of interest and open meeting law violations.
In response, the Commission revamped its licensing and application rules in October. “Although our previous process had its merits, looking back, we might have saved time by adopting this approach earlier,” Vaughn reflected. “Litigation seems to be an ongoing aspect of Alabama’s cannabis industry.”
Throughout the presentations, applicants emphasized their strengths and addressed any shortcomings. Antoine Mordican, CEO of Native Black Cultivation, shared, “I rectified a residency issue in my application, taking necessary steps to ensure compliance.”
Alabama’s medical cannabis law, passed in 2021, permits the use of marijuana for 16 different conditions, including chronic pain, cancer, and PTSD. Patients must be certified by participating physicians and register for a card in a statewide database. The law prohibits smoking marijuana or consuming it in food, limiting its forms to capsules, oils, gels, creams, patches, and more. All marijuana must be grown in secure facilities.
The commission will continue hearing presentations through Wednesday, with Thursday dedicated to reviewing applications. The eagerly awaited license awards will be announced on Friday, marking a significant milestone in Alabama’s medical cannabis journey.
