Birmingham, AL--This coming October, Birmingham is gearing up for a major event in the medical cannabis industry. Following the legalization of medical cannabis in 2021, the conference comes at a pivotal time when bringing the product to patients has encountered multiple setbacks.
[Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich]
The central goal is to ensure the public is well-prepared when the green light is finally given for production. This gathering will see experts and aficionados of medical cannabis discuss the current state, challenges, and potential of the industry.
A Glimpse Into The First Cannabis Store
Leading the way in Alabama's cannabis sphere is Jennifer Boozer, owner of the state's first legal cannabis outlet. Boozer's company, Cannabama, sells CBD and educates its clientele on its therapeutic potential.
Sharing her testimony, Boozer told WSFA, “CBD changed my life. I had been a chronic pain patient since I was a teenager, had migraines.” While her store doesn't offer medical cannabis, she strongly advocates its therapeutic uses. One of her customers, a parent to a child with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, reported a notable decrease in seizure occurrence after starting a full-spectrum CBD product.
Cannabama will join 30 other businesses at the conference, showcasing their contributions to the medical cannabis sector. Organized by Chey Garrigan and the Alabama Cannabis Industry Association, the event emphasizes unity within the community. “We needed to have an association where everybody could come up under one roof so that we could move forward uniformly,” said Garrigan.
State Officials Welcome
The Alabama Ethics Commission has certified for the conference, enabling state officials to participate. Garrigan is optimistic about their attendance, believing it essential for them to gain a deeper insight into the industry's dynamics.
For those interested, online registration for the conference is now open.
Challenges on the Horizon
Despite the industry's momentum, the medical cannabis licensing process currently stands still. According to an AL report, several denied applicants have challenged the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC), accusing it of transgressions related to the Open Meetings Act during the recent license awarding session.
However, despite these legal challenges, the AMCC remains hopeful. Per the report, the body recently awarded 24 licenses covering various facets of the industry, including cultivation, processing, and distribution. These awarded licenses hint at where future dispensaries might spring up, with cities like Mobile, Montgomery, and Birmingham seeing multiple planned outlets.
Medical Cannabis in Alabama
The medical cannabis landscape in Alabama has seen numerous hurdles, with legal challenges and multiple halts in the licensing process. Last week's awards by the AMCC have brought hopes of potential product availability later this year, but ongoing disputes have cast uncertainty over this timeline.
Alabama joins 38 other states that have embraced medical marijuana, representing a larger shift in the nation's perception and acceptance of cannabis as a therapeutic agent.