It’s happened. Alabama’s Senate has approved a bill that will legalize medical marijuana in the state.
In a vote of 17-6, the Senate has cleared the legislation that will allow patients who are 19 years and older to obtain a medical marijuana card. There would be certain conditions, but these people will be granted the ability to use, possess, and purchase marijuana from licensed dispensaries.
As part of the bill, patients would have to have tried traditional treatment options and also be subjected to random drug testing. Medical conditions that qualify patients for the program are cancer, autism, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and all terminal conditions.
Statehouse reporter Mike Cason tweeted, “Alabama Senate passes the medical marijuana bill by a vote of 17-6. Bill moves to the House. #alpolitics
The legislation will also establish an Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee the program.
The tax revenue from medical marijuana sales sales will be put towards implementing the program and then, if the system is adequately funded, revenue would go toward Alabama’s general fund.
“There is a time I never would have carried this bill a year ago, two years ago,” remarked Sen. Tim Melson (R), the bill’s sponsor. “I finally looked up the facts instead of stereotyping what medical cannabis is.”
