Alabama governor signs medical marijuana legislation
3 years, 7 months ago

Alabama governor signs medical marijuana legislation

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Kay Ivey signed medical marijuana legislation Monday as conservative opposition to the issue gradually faded after decades of debate. The approval came eight years after a medical marijuana bill in 2013 won that year’s so-called “Shroud Award” for the “deadest” bill of the year in the House of Representatives Ivey called signing the bill an “important first step” and thanked the sponsors, of the bill for their work. The program authorizes use of medical marijuana to treat for conditions including cancer-related nausea or vomiting, or chronic pain; Crohn’s disease; depression; epilepsy, HIV/AIDS-related nausea or weight loss; panic disorder, Parkinson’s disease; persistent nausea; post-traumatic stress disorder; sickle cell anemia; spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and Tourette’s syndrome. She had first introduced a medical marijuana bill over a decade ago after her son Wesley ‘Ato’ Hall had died of AIDS Ball, who shepherded the bill through the House, said last week that “hearts and minds” were slowly changed on the issue.

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History of this topic

Alabama approved a medical marijuana program in 2021. Patients are still waiting for it.
5 months ago

Alabama approved a medical marijuana program in 2021. Patients are still waiting for it.

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — When Amanda Taylor lived in Arizona, she used medical cannabis to relieve the symptoms of her multiple sclerosis, gastroparesis and other ailments. While licensed cultivators have marijuana plants nearing maturity, cannabis products can’t be recommended or sold to patients in Alabama while the entire program remains on hold. But at this point, it’s anger because greed is …

Kentucky to open applications for the state’s medical marijuana business
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Kentucky to open applications for the state’s medical marijuana business

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Businesses that want to sell, process or grow medical marijuana for Kentucky can start applying for permits starting Monday, part of an accelerated push to have products available in early 2025, Gov. Patients can apply for medical cannabis cards starting Jan. 1 if they have qualifying illnesses, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea or …

North Carolina revives the possibility of legalizing medical marijuana
6 months, 3 weeks ago

North Carolina revives the possibility of legalizing medical marijuana

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina senators are pushing to legalize medical marijuana again, but it’s unclear if the state House will approve it. A Senate bill that was originally intended to add state regulations to hemp products experienced a major facelift on Wednesday when lawmakers added a provision legalizing medical marijuana. The hemp regulations bill was suddenly sent back to …

Alabama judge puts a temporary hold on medical marijuana companies
1 year ago

Alabama judge puts a temporary hold on medical marijuana companies

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A judge has temporarily blocked Alabama from issuing licenses to medical marijuana facilities amid an ongoing legal battle over how the state selected the winning companies. Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson issued a temporary restraining order late Wednesday to stop the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission from issuing licenses for “integrated” facilities that grow, transport and sell medical …

Legal fight continues over medical marijuana licenses in Alabama
1 year, 4 months ago

Legal fight continues over medical marijuana licenses in Alabama

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The availability of medical marijuana remains on hold in Alabama as the legal fight continues over the process used to select companies for the lucrative licenses. Montgomery County Circuit Judge James Anderson on Thursday rejected a request from the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission to postpone a court hearing related to accusations that commissioners improperly deliberated in private …

Alabama medical marijuana licenses put on temporary hold again
1 year, 4 months ago

Alabama medical marijuana licenses put on temporary hold again

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A judge said Thursday he will temporarily block Alabama from issuing licenses to grow and distribute medical marijuana as he reviews an allegation that the state commission illegally deliberated in secret before selecting winners. Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson said he will issue a temporary restraining order to block the issuance of the licenses for 10 days …

Company asks judge to block Alabama medical marijuana licenses
1 year, 4 months ago

Company asks judge to block Alabama medical marijuana licenses

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A company that failed to win a potentially lucrative medical marijuana license in Alabama asked a judge Tuesday to block the state from issuing the licenses to anyone, arguing a state commission improperly deliberated in private before selecting the winners. The filing is the latest legal skirmish in the battle over who will get licenses to grow …

North Carolina senator pushing medical marijuana bill describes smoking pot during cancer fight
1 year, 7 months ago

North Carolina senator pushing medical marijuana bill describes smoking pot during cancer fight

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina General Assembly’s chief advocate for legalizing medical marijuana in the state revealed publicly on Tuesday how he smoked pot over 20 years ago to withstand discomforts of intense chemotherapy during a fight with cancer. He said he told his local police chief and sheriff that “I’m going to have to buy drugs illegally to …

After election, marijuana advocates look to next states
2 years, 1 month ago

After election, marijuana advocates look to next states

Associated Press  

— Law-abiding marijuana enthusiasts could find themselves in a bit of a predicament following voter approval of a recreational cannabis initiative in Missouri. Maryland residents will have to wait even longer — until the middle of next year — before a recreational marijuana measure approved this past week can take effect. After Democratic victories in last week’s legislative and gubernatorial …

Health Department: Mississippi medical marijuana months away
2 years, 7 months ago

Health Department: Mississippi medical marijuana months away

Associated Press  

— It could be the end of the year before medical marijuana is available in Mississippi because businesses need time to receive licenses and to grow, test and prepare to sell the products, state Health Department officials said Monday. The department opened the licensing application process last week for patients and caregivers interested in using medical cannabis as allowed under …

Medical pot proposal gets bipartisan support in NC Senate
2 years, 7 months ago

Medical pot proposal gets bipartisan support in NC Senate

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Marijuana would be legalized for medical use in North Carolina with a physician’s prescription and purchased through dozens of tightly regulated dispensaries in a measure receiving initial approval Thursday in the Senate. The legislation, which received strong bipartisan support, could help people facing more than a dozen different “debilitating medical conditions” in which their doctor declares the …

Medical pot bill resurfaces in NC Senate, heading to floor
2 years, 7 months ago

Medical pot bill resurfaces in NC Senate, heading to floor

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Legislation authorizing marijuana for medical use in North Carolina and developing a system to grow, sell and regulate cannabis was recommended by a state Senate committee Wednesday, nine months after it last surfaced. The measure, which now heads to the Senate floor for the first of two required votes Thursday, would allow patients with at least one …

Bills to expand access to medical marijuana advance
2 years, 8 months ago

Bills to expand access to medical marijuana advance

Associated Press  

— Legislation aimed at expanding patient access to medical marijuana in Louisiana was advanced Tuesday by a state House committee. Rep. Joe Marino, an independent from Gretna, won approval of a bill that would expand the number of licenses from 10 to 25 with 30% of the new licenses set aside for minorities and women. Republican Speaker Pro Tempore Tanner …

Beshear: Ready to explore action on medical marijuana issue
2 years, 9 months ago

Beshear: Ready to explore action on medical marijuana issue

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — If a bill legalizing medical marijuana doesn’t reach his desk, Gov. Asked if he could potentially issue an executive order making medical marijuana accessible if the bill dies, the governor told reporters: “We’re going to explore that.” “It’s something that we will look at,” he said. “Its time has certainly come.” But the governor called on lawmakers …

Medical marijuana bill heads to South Carolina House floor
2 years, 9 months ago

Medical marijuana bill heads to South Carolina House floor

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A bill allowing limited use of medical marijuana in South Carolina is heading to the House floor — the furthest the proposal has made it during the eight years its passionate supporters have been pushing for it. The bill’s sponsor said if it passes, South Carolina’s law would be one of the most conservative of the nearly …

SC House committee sets public hearing on medical marijuana
2 years, 9 months ago

SC House committee sets public hearing on medical marijuana

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A House committee will hold a public hearing Monday on a bill to allow the use of medical marijuana in South Carolina. A small group of House members Thursday made a few changes in the lengthy bill passed in February by the full Senate on a 28-15 vote. Much of that is expected for the meeting Monday …

SC Senate approves medical marijuana bill, House up next
2 years, 11 months ago

SC Senate approves medical marijuana bill, House up next

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina senators Wednesday approved the use of medical marijuana in the state on a 28-15 vote that finished a Republican senator’s seven-year quest to pass the proposal, but the legislation still has some hurdles to pass to become law. Davis said his proposal would be one of the most conservative among the 37 states that have …

SC Senate medical marijuana debate stretches to third week
2 years, 11 months ago

SC Senate medical marijuana debate stretches to third week

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The debate over whether to legalize medical marijuana in South Carolina is extending into a third week in the state Senate starting Tuesday, with a Republican leader telling his colleagues to plan for late nights to bring the issue to a vote. Other opponents said Davis’ bill creates a massive new bureaucracy to handle medical marijuana. Democratic …

Mississippi governor signs law allowing medical marijuana
2 years, 11 months ago

Mississippi governor signs law allowing medical marijuana

Associated Press  

— Mississippi is legalizing medical marijuana for people with debilitating conditions such as cancer, AIDS and sickle cell disease. “There are also those who really want a recreational marijuana program that could lead to more people smoking and less people working, with all the societal and family ills that that brings.” The National Conference of State Legislatures says 36 states …

SC senator gets 7-year wish for medical marijuana debate
2 years, 11 months ago

SC senator gets 7-year wish for medical marijuana debate

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Sen. Tom Davis walked up to the well of the Senate about 1:45 p.m. Wednesday to finally get the medical marijuana debate to which he has dedicated more than seven years of his legislative career. Palmetto Family Council President Dave Wilson wondered why the state Senate prioritized the marijuana debate over other issues like cutting …

GOP lawmakers try again to legalize medical marijuana
2 years, 11 months ago

GOP lawmakers try again to legalize medical marijuana

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — A group of Republican lawmakers resurrected a bill Wednesday to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin, saying it’s time to at least talk about using the drug as a natural way to help the sick treat their ailments naturally. Sen. Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Patrick Snyder’s bill would create a new state commission that would regulate medical marijuana. …

Medical marijuana moves 1 step closer in Mississippi
2 years, 11 months ago

Medical marijuana moves 1 step closer in Mississippi

Associated Press  

— Mississippi is moving closer to joining most other states in allowing people to use marijuana to relieve medical conditions. The state House voted 104-14 Wednesday to pass a bill that would create a medical marijuana program. When the bill passed the Senate, it said a person with a marijuana prescription could obtain up to 3.5 grams of the substance …

Medical marijuana advances with Mississippi senate vote
2 years, 11 months ago

Medical marijuana advances with Mississippi senate vote

Associated Press  

— Mississippi senators voted Thursday to advance a bill that would create a medical marijuana program, sending it to the House for more work. Blackwell has been one of the lead negotiators the past several months on creating a medical marijuana program for Mississippi residents with debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, AIDS and sickle cell anemia. Tate Reeves has …

Medical marijuana proposal moves to Mississippi Senate
2 years, 11 months ago

Medical marijuana proposal moves to Mississippi Senate

Associated Press  

— A bill to create a medical marijuana program is headed for debate in the Mississippi Senate in coming days. In November 2020, a wide margin of Mississippi voters approved an initiative to allow medical marijuana, and a program was supposed to be in place by the middle of 2021. In May, the state Supreme Court ruled that the initiative …

Mississippi legislators begin session, face marijuana debate
3 years ago

Mississippi legislators begin session, face marijuana debate

Associated Press  

— Mississippi legislators began their three-month session Tuesday, and the mother of a man with chronic medical problems implored them to create a medical marijuana program, despite objections from Gov. Creation of a medical marijuana program could be one of the first issues that the Republican-controlled House and Senate consider during the session’s opening weeks. Angie Calhoun, founder and CEO …

Louisiana lawmakers: Strain too slow on medical marijuana
3 years, 1 month ago

Louisiana lawmakers: Strain too slow on medical marijuana

Associated Press  

— Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain came under fire Thursday from state lawmakers who complained his regulatory agency was moving too slowly in expanding the medical marijuana products available to patients. The News-Star reports that Strain, a Republican, told a special legislative commission looking at the state’s medicinal pot program that he won’t compromise public safety to fast-track new products. …

Reeves: Put tighter limits on medical marijuana proposal
3 years, 2 months ago

Reeves: Put tighter limits on medical marijuana proposal

Associated Press  

Tate Reeves says he wants legislators to make more changes in a proposal to create a medical marijuana program in the state. The Republican said at a news conference Monday that he wants tighter limits on the amount of marijuana people could buy and he wants to reduce the content of THC, the compound that produces a high. Reeves said …

Reeves: Work still happening on medical marijuana proposal
3 years, 2 months ago

Reeves: Work still happening on medical marijuana proposal

Associated Press  

Tate Reeves said Tuesday that he and legislative leaders are continuing to negotiate changes in a proposal to create a medical marijuana program, including putting tight limits on how much of the medicine one person could buy. “I believe very strongly that if we’re going to have a medical marijuana program, it’s very important that we get it done right,” …

Mississippi gov: Still no word on medical marijuana session
3 years, 3 months ago

Mississippi gov: Still no word on medical marijuana session

Associated Press  

Tate Reeves on Monday was still not saying whether he will call legislators into special session to enact a medical marijuana program and consider other issues that House and Senate leaders are promoting. Delbert Hosemann and House Speaker Philip Gunn said Friday that they want Reeves to set a special session because negotiators from the two chambers have agreed on …

Mississippi session requested on medical marijuana proposal
3 years, 3 months ago

Mississippi session requested on medical marijuana proposal

Associated Press  

— Mississippi legislative leaders said Friday that they are asking Republican Gov. Tate Reeves to call the House and Senate into special session to enact a medical marijuana program and approve financial help for hospitals. They also want legislators during the session to authorize death benefit payments for law enforcement officers and first responders who die of COVID-19 and set …

Mississippi negotiators reach proposal on medical marijuana
3 years, 3 months ago

Mississippi negotiators reach proposal on medical marijuana

Associated Press  

— Mississippi House and Senate negotiators said Thursday that they have agreed on a proposed medical marijuana program. “This is not a recreational thing.” Yancey said that if the bill becomes law, cities and counties would be have 90 days to opt out of allowing medical marijuana growing sites, processing facilities and dispensaries. Blackwell said if a city or county …

Medical marijuana legalization keeps advancing in NC Senate
3 years, 4 months ago

Medical marijuana legalization keeps advancing in NC Senate

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — A bill legalizing marijuana for medical use in North Carolina and developing a system to grow and sell it cleared two more legislative hurdles this week in the Senate. The Senate Health Care Committee voted for the measure on Thursday, two days after the judiciary committee approved an updated version compared to what it originally recommended in …

Mississippi lawmakers work toward medical marijuana program
3 years, 5 months ago

Mississippi lawmakers work toward medical marijuana program

Associated Press  

— Two Mississippi lawmakers say they’re continuing to work on proposals to create a medical marijuana program, two months after the state Supreme Court invalidated one that voters had approved. Yancey said a House bill would be similar to Initiative 65, which voters approved in November to allow medical marijuana use by people with some debilitating conditions. Initiative 65 was …

Lawmakers working to complete medical marijuana bill draft
3 years, 6 months ago

Lawmakers working to complete medical marijuana bill draft

Associated Press  

— Lawmakers working on a proposal to bring a medical marijuana program to Mississippi plan to have a draft of the legislation ready later this summer, Mississippi Gov. The state Supreme Court ruled in May that a voter-approved medical marijuana initiative is void because Mississippi’s initiative process is outdated. Delbert Hosemann, have said the Legislature should honor the will of …

Mississippi lawmakers hear testimony on medical marijuana
3 years, 6 months ago

Mississippi lawmakers hear testimony on medical marijuana

Associated Press  

— Two prominent Mississippi physicians urged lawmakers Monday to put “guardrails” in place if medical marijuana is legalized in the state, warning that officials should be careful about making a product available that has not been thoroughly tested by the FDA — especially when it comes to children. The Mississippi Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met to hear testimony …

Mississippi protesters: Revive medical marijuana proposal
3 years, 7 months ago

Mississippi protesters: Revive medical marijuana proposal

Associated Press  

— People protested Tuesday near the Mississippi Capitol and the state Supreme Court building to demand that Gov. About 1.3 million people voted in Mississippi in November, and more than 766,000 of them voted in favor of the medical marijuana proposal, Initiative 65. “I don’t think the government should tell people how they should and shouldn’t live,” Allen said in …

'Important First Step': Alabama Passes Medical Marijuana Bill After Eight Long Years of Struggle
3 years, 7 months ago

'Important First Step': Alabama Passes Medical Marijuana Bill After Eight Long Years of Struggle

News 18  

Kay Ivey signed medical marijuana legislation Monday as conservative opposition to the issue gradually faded after decades of debate. The approval came eight years after a medical marijuana bill in 2013 won that year’s so-called “Shroud Award” for the “deadest” bill of the year in the House of Representatives. While the bill takes effect immediately, the bill sponsor estimated it …

Alabama Legislature: What passed and failed on the last day
3 years, 7 months ago

Alabama Legislature: What passed and failed on the last day

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama lawmakers on Monday concluded the 2021 legislative session. The approval came eight years after a medical marijuana bill in 2013 won that year’s so-called “Shroud Award” for the “deadest” bill of the year in the House of Representatives. WHAT PASSED CURBSIDE VOTING BAN Lawmakers gave final approval to a bill by Republican Rep. Wes Allen of …

Mississippi lawmakers: Revive initiatives, marijuana program
3 years, 7 months ago

Mississippi lawmakers: Revive initiatives, marijuana program

Associated Press  

— Some Mississippi lawmakers say they want Gov. “We 100% believe in the right of the people to use the initiative process to express their views on public policy,” Republican House Speaker Philip Gunn said Monday in a statement that did not mention medical marijuana. Republican Sen. Jeremy England of Vancleave said Monday that “there seems to be a sense …

Alabama governor signs medical marijuana legislation
3 years, 7 months ago

Alabama governor signs medical marijuana legislation

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed medical marijuana legislation Monday as conservative opposition to the issue gradually faded after decades of debate. The approval came eight years after a medical marijuana bill in 2013 won that year’s so-called “Shroud Award” for the “deadest” bill of the year in the House of Representatives. The program authorizes use of medical …

Medical marijuana bill heads to key House vote
3 years, 8 months ago

Medical marijuana bill heads to key House vote

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A second legislative committee on Thursday approved a medical marijuana bill, putting the proposal in line for a key vote in the House of Representatives. The House Health Committee approved the legislation by Republican Sen. Tim Melson of Florence, that would allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase marijuana after getting a recommendation from a …

Alabama House committee advances medical marijuana bill
3 years, 9 months ago

Alabama House committee advances medical marijuana bill

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A medical marijuana bill on Wednesday cleared its first major hurdle in the Alabama House of Representatives. Under the proposal, people could get a doctor’s recommendation to use medical marijuana for more than a dozen types of conditions — including cancer, anxiety, epilepsy, menopause, a terminal illness and chronic pain. A medical marijuana bill in 2013 won …

Alabama Senate approves medical marijuana bill
3 years, 10 months ago

Alabama Senate approves medical marijuana bill

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Senate on Wednesday approved medical marijuana legislation as advocates hope to get the measure enacted after years of setbacks in the conservative state. Senators voted 21-8 to approve the bill by Republican Sen. Tim Melson of Florence that would allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase marijuana, in forms such as gels or …

Medical pot advocates ask lawmakers for ‘compromise’
3 years, 10 months ago

Medical pot advocates ask lawmakers for ‘compromise’

Associated Press  

— Supporters of a successful ballot measure to make medical marijuana legal in South Dakota urged state lawmakers on Monday to allow users to avoid criminal charges during any delay in implementing the program. The Republican governor’s proposal to delay was another setback for pro-pot groups after they saw a voter-passed constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana struck down by a …

Medical marijuana bills challenge Bible Belt politics
4 years, 9 months ago

Medical marijuana bills challenge Bible Belt politics

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Facing a potentially historic vote on whether to legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky, Republican lawmaker John Schickel is conflicted. “But the flip side of it is, if there are people who need medical attention and truly believe that it will help them, who are we to say they can’t have it?” Schickel’s dilemma stands as yet another …

Alabama Senate approves medical marijuana bill
4 years, 9 months ago

Alabama Senate approves medical marijuana bill

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A medical marijuana bill cleared its first floor vote Thursday in the Alabama Legislature as advocates hope to make headway after years of setbacks. The proposal would allow people with a doctor’s recommendation to use medical marijuana for 15 conditions — including cancer, anxiety and chronic pain. In 2013, a medical marijuana bill won the so-called “Shroud …

Mississippi could have 2 medical marijuana items on ballot
4 years, 9 months ago

Mississippi could have 2 medical marijuana items on ballot

Associated Press  

— The Mississippi House voted Tuesday to put a second medical marijuana proposal on the statewide ballot this year. On Tuesday, the Mississippi House voted to put an alternative medical marijuana proposal on the same ballot. He said the alternative is “absolutely intended to kill it.” Bomgar said he supports legalizing medical marijuana because he watched his parents struggle with …

Medical marijuana bill clears Alabama Senate committee
4 years, 10 months ago

Medical marijuana bill clears Alabama Senate committee

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A medical marijuana bill cleared its first hurdle Wednesday in the Alabama Legislature, giving hope to advocates after years of setbacks. This bill is about getting well,” said Dr. Alan Shackelford, a Colorado doctor who described the success of using medical marijuana on people with seizures and cancer. A medical marijuana bill in 2013 won the so-called …

Speaker: Vote on medical marijuana bill possible next week
4 years, 10 months ago

Speaker: Vote on medical marijuana bill possible next week

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Medical marijuana is getting a serious look in the Kentucky legislature. In another sign of momentum for the push to legalize cannabis for treatment of some medical conditions, House Speaker David Osborne said the bill could come up for a House vote as soon as next week. The bill also would set up a regulatory process allowing …

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