Appointments made to Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced her appointments to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission on Monday.

Ivey appointed Dr. William Saliski Jr., a pulmonologist; Sam Blakemore, who represents the pharmacists; and Dwight Gamble, who represents Ag lenders.

Senate Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper, appointed Dr. Steve Stokes, an oncologist, and Taylor Hatchett of Boozer Farms.

On Wednesday, Alabama Media Group’s Mike Cason reported that Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth Dr. Angela Martin, a pediatrician, had appointed; Dr. Eric Jensen, a biochemist; and Loree Skelton, a healthcare attorney.

Cason reported that House Speaker Mac McCutcheon had appointed R-Monrovia, farmer Rex Vaughn and retired county judge Charles Price.

Alabama’s Agriculture and Industry Commissioner Rick Pate named James Harwell President of the Green Thumb Nursery in Montgomery.

Attorney General Steve Marshall has appointed AG Chief Counsel Katherine Green Robertson.

The State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency secretary Hal Taylor each also have an appointment.

“We look forward to working with the new members of the commission,” said Chey Garrigan, President and CEO of the Alabama Cannabis Industry Association. “The Alabama Cannabis Industry Association’s mission is to help Alabamers find natural, non-opioid treatments for their medical ailments and are optimistic about the prospects of this commission.”

All appointees are yet to be ratified by the Alabama Senate.

The commission was tasked with writing the rules for the new medical marijuana industry in Alabama by September.

Once the rules are written, the commission will begin accepting applications for companies to grow, process, transport and dispense medical marijuana.

No smokable products are sold in the state, and all Alabamians who receive a medical marijuana card must be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by a doctor. Foreign medical marijuana cards are not accepted in the state.

“Our goal has always been to help people in Alabama with a proven medical need,” said Garrigan. “This will alleviate the suffering of hundreds of thousands of Alabamers while creating the basis for a new industry in the state.”

It will not take until the middle of next year at the earliest before a product is legally sold.

The Alabama Legislature passed the Medical Marijuana Legislature during its 2021 legislative session. The bill was sponsored by Senator Tim Melson, R-Florence, and introduced to the Alabama House of Representatives by State Representative Mike Ball, R-Madison.