An Alabama court ruling has overturned the medical cannabis licenses issued in December 2023 by the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC), further delaying the state’s long-anticipated medical program, CBS 42 reports.
The decision by the Circuit Court of Montgomery County invalidates the AMCC’s use of an “emergency rule” to proceed with licensing after earlier attempts were blocked by legal disputes. The ruling casts uncertainty over the status of several operators who have been preparing for over a year under the belief they held valid licenses.
The AMCC has faced ongoing legal and procedural hurdles since the state’s medical cannabis law was passed, with multiple attempts to finalize licensing thwarted by lawsuits and regulatory issues.
John McMillan, director of the AMCC, voiced his frustration in an interview with WSFA. “It’s become pretty obvious that there’s some powerful forces in Alabama that are intent on keeping this program from getting going unless they have their way,” McMillan said. “They’re coming at every angle.”
The AMCC is currently reviewing its legal options, including a potential appeal of the court’s decision. In the meantime, patients and prospective businesses remain in limbo as Alabama’s medical cannabis program faces yet another delay in its already rocky rollout.
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