Alabama Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence) is again sponsoring a medical cannabis legalization bill, according to the Alabama Political Reporter.
Melson announced plans last month to reintroduce medical cannabis legislation that he proposed in both 2019 and 2020. The Alabama Senate approved the measures both years, but the bills ultimately stalled in the House.
This year, Melson reintroduced his proposal in the form of S.B. 46, the Compassion Act, which would allow Alabama residents diagnosed with a qualifying condition, as well as designated caregivers, to access medical cannabis in the state, according to the Alabama Political Reporter.
The legislation would create the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, which would be charged with establishing and overseeing a patient registry; issuing medical cannabis cards; granting cultivation, processing, dispensary, transport and testing licenses for businesses; and outlining regulations for medical cannabis from seed to sale, according to the Alabama Political Reporter.
Melson’s bill would prohibit the smoking or vaping of cannabis, the news outlet reported.
The legislation has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Alabama’s legislative session kicks off Feb. 2, according to the Alabama Political Reporter.
