Alabama medical marijuana industry takes shapes as licenses issued, doctors begin to prescribe
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — A new industry is taking shape in Alabama.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) on Monday announced its selections for medical cannabis business licenses.
The commission voted on which applicants would be awarded the licenses during a meeting.
There was no shortage of qualified individuals and entities who provided applications for us to consider,” said Commission Chairman and Oncologist, Dr. Steven Stokes in a written news release sent to the media. The release went on to say, “Based on the evaluators’ assessments and the Commission’s considerations, we believe that we have selected an outstanding slate of inaugural licensees to represent Alabama’s new medical cannabis industry.
During Monday's meeting the commission reported it worked with the University of South Alabama to coordinate the application review process. Evaluators were used to assess the scored exhibit items. There were ninety applicants. USA had 66 evaluators review one of eight scoring categories. Those categories were listed as: (1) Financial Ability; (2) Business/Management Approach; (3) Operations Plans & Procedures; (4) Facility Suitability and Infrastructure; (5) Security Plan; (6) Personnel; (7) Quality Control and Testing; or (8) Marketing and Advertising.
The commission explained in Monday's meeting that each scored exhibit was independently reviewed by two evaluators. The applicant’s solvency, stability, suitability, capability, projected efficiency, and experience were assessed along with a comparison to the other applicants.
The Commission has worked diligently since the passage of the Darren Wesley “Ato” Hall Act to develop regulations and policies to facilitate an effective and safe medical cannabis industry,” explained Commission Director, John McMillan in the news release. “We are excited to begin working with those applicants who were awarded licenses to meet the needs of so many Alabamians who are living with debilitating conditions that can benefit from medical cannabis.
Those businesses which were awarded a license now have fourteen days to pay a license fee. The commission will issue the licenses at its July 10th meeting.
Now it's time for doctors to get certified.
The four-hour certification courses are live online for physicians right now. But the response has been underwhelming so far, as doctors seem hesitant.
Physicians are trained to put stigmas and biases aside for the welfare of their patients. They will follow the data," explained Wilson Hunter, General Counsel for the State Board of Medical Examiners. The board is overseeing the certification process.
Hunter says some doctors maybe waiting on more peer reviewed scientific data on which patients benefit the most from cannabis. "If you see reticence, they're waiting on medical science to give guidance they can trust," remarked Hunter.
He explains any doctor can get a license to prescribe medical marijuana as long as they are in good standing with the board and have had no issues in the past with prescribing controlled substances.
Everybody is trying to avoid a repeat of the opioid crisis," warned Hunter.
Hunter says this is a last resort option for treatment and the recommendation to use it must be in a doctor's normal scope of practice.
Medical marijuana is not typically covered by insurance.
Both UAB and St. Vincents hospitals were unavailable to discuss whether medical marijuana would be part of their treatment plans. Others though see big possibilities for patients and strong tax revenue in the new industry.
Medical cannabis is the future; we're excited about it," said Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford.
Gadsden will have two dispensaries. Mayor Ford says it fits right in with their growing medical community which serves five counties.
"We have two hospitals, two cancer centers. This goes hand in glove with what we're trying to develop in Gadsden," explained the mayor.
It would likely be six months to a year before the products are actually on the market. One potential hold up could be if lawsuits are filed by businesses which were not awarded a license.