Alabama 2024 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Bill SB276

Introduced
4/2/24  
Introduced
4/2/24  
Report Pass
4/10/24  
Refer
4/2/24  

Caption

Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission; number of licenses issued by commission revised; certain licensure determinations by commission ratified and confirmed; administrative adjudicatory process for awarding additional licenses provided

Impact

The legislative modifications introduced by SB276 aim to streamline the licensing process, facilitating competition among medical cannabis providers. Given the increased number of available licenses, the bill is anticipated to broaden access for consumers while ensuring that regulations keep pace with the evolving landscape of medical cannabis. This expansion could also foster economic opportunities in the state, particularly in sectors related to agriculture, health care, and commerce, creating a more robust medical cannabis framework.

Summary

SB276 pertains to the administration and regulation of medical cannabis in Alabama, amending existing laws to increase the number of licenses the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission can issue. The bill proposes a rise in processor licenses from four to six, dispensary licenses from four to seven, and integrated facility licenses from five to fifteen. This change emphasizes a more expansive approach to the state's medical cannabis market, reflecting a growing acceptance and utilization of such products within Alabama. The bill mandates the commission to issue these specified licenses rather than allowing for discretionary judgments, thereby standardizing the process.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, the bill also raises issues of contention. Critics may argue that increasing the number of licenses could lead to oversaturation in the market, risking the quality and safety of medical cannabis products. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding the operational oversight of newly licensed entities, especially in ensuring compliance with manufacturing practices and safeguarding public health. The bill's administrative adjudicatory process aims to address licensing disputes and appeals, which could become a point of contention if the process is viewed as unfavorable or inaccessible to applicants.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AL SB72

Medical Cannabis Commission; process for selecting integrated facility licenses revised, appeals process of commission determinations revised, number of integrated facility licenses to be issued increased

AL SB306

Medical Cannabis Commission; process for issuing integrated facility licenses revised, duties of Department of Agriculture and Industries revised

AL HB390

Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission; primary responsibility over regulation, licensing, and enforcement of cannabis cultivation authorized

AL AB2810

Cannabis: cultivation licenses: Sun-Grown Cannabis Commission and Indoor-Grown Cannabis Commission.

AL SB436

Medical Cannabis – Concurrent Grower and Processor Licenses

AL SB628

Medical Cannabis - Grower License - Number and Licensed Processors

AL HB196

Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission; subject to Administrative Procedure Act and laws governing open meetings and records; provide

AL HB1498

CANNABIS-OVERSIGHT COMMISSION

AL HB1436

CANNABIS-OVERSIGHT COMMISSION

AL SB534

Medical marijuana license; allowing licensee to provide certain services; providing certain requirements for issuance of certain license; allowing certain annual permit to be issued to certain licensee. Effective date.

Similar Bills

OH SB9

Revise medical marijuana law

PA SB835

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in program, further providing for program established, for confidentiality and public disclosure, for lawful use of medical marijuana and for unlawful use of medical marijuana; in practitioners, further providing for practitioner registration, for practitioner restrictions, for issuance of certification and for duration; in patients, further providing for identification cards, for verification and for contents of identification card; in medical marijuana organizations, further providing for granting of permit, for relocation and for limitations on permits; in medical marijuana controls, further providing for electronic tracking, for grower/processors, for storage and transportation, for laboratory and for prices and providing for recalls; in dispensaries, further providing for dispensing to patients and caregivers and for facility requirements; in tax on medical marijuana, further providing for Medical Marijuana Program Fund; in Medical Marijuana Advisory Board, further providing for advisory board; in research program, further providing for establishment of medical marijuana research program, for medical marijuana research program administration and for approval; in academic clinical research centers and clinical registrants, further providing for legislative findings and declaration of policy, for definitions and for clinical registrants and providing for termination of contract; and, in miscellaneous provisions, further providing for applicability.

AL HB227

Relating to medical cannabis; to amend Sections 20-2A-3, 20-2A-8, 20-2A-21, 20-2A-32, 20-2A-36, and 20-2A-64, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the conditions that are considered a qualifying medical condition; to further restrict individuals from having an economic interest in a licensee and to establish a time period for the prohibition; to further provide for the definition of a registered certifying physician and provide that a registered certifying physician may only certify a patient for medical cannabis use if he or she is board certified in the field of specialty required to diagnose a qualifying medical condition as provided by law; to prohibit a non-registered certifying physician from having a financial arrangement with a registered certifying physician for patient referrals; to provide that an individual cannot qualify as a registered caregiver if he or she is also a qualified registered patient; to further provide for location restrictions and dispensing protocols for a dispensary; to make it a crime for an individual to sell a medical cannabis card; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.

OH HB341

Revise the adult use marijuana law

WV HB5511

Relating generally to medical cannabis

WV SB657

Relating to tax on medical cannabis

WV HB3201

Relating generally to medical cannabis

WV SB732

Relating generally to medical cannabis