A Montgomery judge Tuesday said he would be open to lifting some restrictions on the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) to allow some vetting of license awards. Montgomery County Circuit James Anderson said that he might be inclined to "amending it [a temporary restraining order] to allow some investigative things to go forward."
The discussion came near the end of a nearly two-hour hearing that covered motions to intervene and the potentially ongoing role of the Agriculture Commissioner. Anderson had previously directed the AMCC and companies denied a license to provide a joint proposed order that would allow investigative hearings but no licenses to be issued.
The Alabama Legislature approved a medical cannabis program in 2021 that would allow the use of cannabis for about 15 different medical conditions, including chronic pain, cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
But the program has been put in limbo amid controversies and litigation over the issuance of cannabis production and distribution licenses. AMCC first awarded licenses in June 2023 but voided them due to scoring inconsistencies. The commission tried to award licenses again later that summer but suspended them amid lawsuits alleging the AMCC violated the state Open Meetings Act. The commission tried to award licenses again in December where further litigation occurred.
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