Alabama judge puts medical marijuana licenses on temporary hold

In the midst of an ongoing legal dispute surrounding the selection of winning companies, an Alabama judge has temporarily prevented the issuing of licenses to medical marijuana facilities. Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson issued a late Wednesday temporary restraining order, halting the licensure for 'integrated' facilities that grow, transport and sell medical marijuana. The desired licenses were scheduled to be issued this month, but have been delayed due to a dispute around the selection process from companies not awarded the licenses. Anderson has acknowledged the potential difficulties related to medical marijuana availability arising from this delay, but still believes the pause on license issuance is warranted. This is the most recent development in a legal strife that has troubled the initiation of Alabama’s medical marijuana program. After voting in favor of permitting medical marijuana in Alabama in 2021, commission officials aim to make the products accessible in 2024, subsequent to multiple delays. The recent Wednesday order solely impacts licenses for facilities that manage various operations from 'seed to sale.' The judge previously placed a delay on licenses for dispensaries due to a similar argument. Nevertheless, the commission continues to issue licenses for growers, processors, transportation firms and laboratory testing.