We’re hopeful that we will arrive at the best process for everyone involved, including patients who require medical cannabis.
By Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector
Next week, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission will try to resolve litigation regarding the state’s license process by meeting with potential producers and distributors.
A Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge extended Wednesday a temporary restraining to allow the negotiation to proceed.
AMCC is facing several lawsuits regarding the licensing process. In the lawsuits, it is alleged that the AMCC violated the Open Meetings Act of the state while granting licenses on 10 August or improperly canceled licenses granted earlier. The licensing process has been suspended by both the court and AMCC.
Will Somerville said that after the hearing, it was unclear what the outcome of the negotiations would be. He is an attorney for Alabama Always. One of the companies suing AMCC. Somerville hopes it will streamline the licensing process so that the best applicants can receive a license without being “stuck in court for years.”
Somerville stated, “I was very encouraged to see that everyone seems to be aiming for the same goal.”
Will Webster, attorney for AMCC, said that after the hearing, the attorneys involved – AMCC, Alabama Always and all intervening party – will meet privately on September 11, to discuss the next steps. Webster stated that they would “hash out more of these issues” in the private meeting.
Webster stated that “we did discuss some procedural issues today, about how it will work, how it could work, and some ideas people have for consideration by the Commission.”
Webster stated that the parties needed to figure out how to get to a third licensing round, but he refused to give specifics.
“It was positive, because at the moment, no decision has been made regarding what exactly needs to be done. Webster stated that “we’re having a conversation about it.”
Somerville expressed his optimism after the hearing.
Somerville stated that Alabama Always, who did not receive a license during the previous rounds, would like a third licensing round to include site visits or, at a minimum, a requirement for applicants to provide videos of their facility. The company wants the commission also to review previous scores.
He said that the outcome of the negotiations could be “the process by which applicants present their case to the Commission.”
Somerville stated, “We are very hopeful that we will arrive at a solution that is best for everyone involved, including patients who require medical cannabis.”
Alabama Always was ranked 26 out of 38 applicants for a license for an integrated facility in the second round.
Somerville stated, “I don’t personally see a way to use past scores.” “But I am willing to listen to what anyone has to say.” “But I don’t believe so.”
Webster stated that scores would be discussed.
Last week, the commission granted an administrative stay on the licensing process during its meeting in Montgomery. This was to give parties a chance to try to resolve any issues before the process resumed.
At its meeting on August 10, the AMCC awarded licenses to produce and distribute medical cannabis, after suspending earlier awards due to concerns about the evaluation process.
Alabama Always, a company that sued the AMCC in July for the appointment of Steven Stokes as former chair, has filed a suit against the AMCC following the meeting on August 10. The lawsuit alleges that during the executive session of the AMCC, commission members nominated private companies to be considered by the public in voting for licenses. This is in violation of the Open Meetings Act.
The lawsuit alleges, as well, that during the executive session commission members were told to place their nominations into an envelope and vote on the top companies at the meeting of August 10.
Montgomery Circuit Court Judge James Anderson has extended the restraining orders “at least” to September 19, when AMCC will be meeting again in Montgomery.
This article was originally published by Alabama Reflector.
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The post Alabama Marijuana Regulators to Begin Negotiations with Legal Challengers Over State’s Licensing Procedure first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
