“The Court also notes that the three rounds of awards were challenged as being legally infirm.”
By Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector
In a virtual hearing held Thursday morning, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC), discussed its ongoing legal fights.
The AMCC announced that, in its first meeting since the court issued a deferral on January 3 the Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge James Anderson had also granted a request for expedited disclosure, allowing the plaintiffs to obtain six live recorded testimony from the AMCC.
The Commission objected during the hearings and the judge has now stayed the deadlines of the depositions in order to allow AMCC and the plaintiffs to negotiate the scope.
The extent of discovery that will be required at this stage is not yet determined. We haven’t had a discussion yet with plaintiff’s counsel, but we will do so, as requested by the court.
Wilkerson stated that Anderson had indicated that the January 24 hearing for an injunction is still scheduled, but it could be used to resolve any outstanding discovery issues should the parties not come to an agreement. Wilkerson predicts that the injunction will be delayed.
They are continuing to discuss and disagree about what kind of discovery is allowed at this stage in the process. Wilkerson stated that they would like to meet with the counsel of the parties next week and then report to the body.
Anderson stated in his order last week that the third round of license award for December after two previous attempts in 2023 was started on “uneven grounds” due to the unresolved litigation surrounding the first two.
The court noted that the three rounds of awards had been challenged for being legally invalid. “The first two rounds were abandoned due to the action of the Commission itself. Now there is serious doubt as to whether or not the third round of awards is also invalid,” Anderson said in his order.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) began accepting applications late last year. AMCC started accepting applications in late 2018.
Patients certified by participating doctors will be able use medical cannabis to treat 15 conditions including cancer, chronic back pain, depression, and Parkinson’s Disease once the product becomes available. Patients must apply for a medical cannabis card in order to purchase it from licensed distributors.
The law prohibits the consumption of medical cannabis in food or as a smoked product. The products will come in the form of tablets, capsules or gelatins. They can also be found as oils, gels or creams. Cannabis gummies can only be peach-flavored.
This article was originally published by Alabama Reflector.
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The post Alabama Medical Marijuana Regulations Offer Update on Ongoing Legal Fights And Licensing first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
