A medical marijuana bill is now headed to Alabama’s Governor Kay Ivey’s desk after receiving a historical House vote.
On Thursday the Alabama Legislature gave final approval to a bill that would create a statewide medical marijuana program.
After a House debate that lasted over two days and two other historic votes, the bill now makes its way to the Governor.
The House of Representatives had an overwhelming vote of 68 to 34 to approve the measure, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence.
This was despite a filibuster from about a half-dozen dedicated opponents that delayed a vote on the bill on Tuesday. The Senate then concurred in changes to the bill late Thursday on a 20 to 9 vote.
Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison, a longtime medical cannabis advocate who handled the bill in the House stated, “This is just a happy day for me and a great burden has been lifted.”
Gina Maiola, a spokeswoman for Gov. Kay Ivey, wrote Thursday night that the governor “looked forward to thoroughly reviewing” the bill.
“We appreciate the debate from the Legislature on the topic,” read the statement.
“This is certainly an emotional issue. We are sensitive to that and will give it the diligence it deserves.”
Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, noted during debate on Thursday that she had introduced a bill on the subject more than 20 years ago in honor of her son Darren Wesley ‘Ato’ Hall. Her son had died from AIDS. Hall said her son struggled with AZT, then a common treatment for the disease.
“I always believed if there had been something else that he could have taken, something that he might have taken, he might be living today,” she said.
