If I didn’t step aside, the process would likely be stopped until it was resolved. I didn’t wish to cause the process to be stopped.
By Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector
Dr. Steven Stokes resigned as chair of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission on Thursday morning.
Stokes, a cancer specialist who has served as chair of the Medical Cannabis Commission since 2021, stated in an interview on Thursday that he had resigned in order to avoid the commission, and the process for approving medical cannabis, being involved in a suit alleging that the appointment to the commission was in violation of state law.
Stokes stated, “If I didn’t step aside then the process would likely be stopped until it was resolved.” “I didn’t want my issue to be the one to halt the entire process,” Stokes said.
The lawsuit was filed in late-July and alleged that Stokes couldn’t serve on the AMCC Commission because he had been a trustee at the University of South Alabama when he received his appointment to the commission in July 2021. The lawsuit cited a state law that prohibits any AMCC member to be a “current official.”
John McMillan said that Stokes’s resignation will be a great loss to the AMCC. He also said it will be hard for the state to find another oncologist who has the same expertise. He does not believe that Stokes’s departure will delay the process.
McMillan stated that “He is one of two or three commission members who understand the real benefits and assets that can be gained from the ability to use this medication.”
He said that the AMCC will probably elect a chairman at its meeting on August 10. He said this could change depending upon the outcome of the court hearing scheduled for August 7.
McMillan stated that the loss of his expertise and valuable input would not interfere with their efforts.
AMCC was to grant licenses in June to businesses who applied to take part in the state’s medical cannabis program . AMCC awarded licenses to certain companies, but those who were denied raised concerns about the transparency of the scoring.
The Commission announced that it would not be awarding licenses for a period of less than a week. It cited “scoring irregularities” which could have resulted in “catastrophic results” if licenses had been issued.
The University of South Alabama hired evaluators to review the initial license application.
After the stay, Alabama Always, , one of those companies that was denied a medical cannabis license, filed a suit alleging the commission had violated state law which legalized and established a market for medicinal cannabis in 2019.
The plaintiff in the Dr. Stokes case moved last week to consolidate the Alabama Always lawsuit with Stokes’s. William Somerville is the Birmingham-based lawyer in both cases.
In a press release following Stokes’ resignation, Sommerville stated that Alabama Always applauded Stokes’ decision.
Sommerville said in a press release that “we and other applicants who followed the application procedure to the letter” just wanted the commission to follow the law and adhere to rules and regulations for the selection process, and to give each application a thorough, comprehensive review.
On August 10, the Commission will meet to award new licenses.
Originally published by Alabama Reflector.
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The post Top Alabama Marijuana Regulator resigns amid lawsuits and licensing controversy first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
