Ala. Senate considering bill that would end medical marijuana court action, increase number of licenses issued in key categories [Video]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – The Alabama Senate is now considering a new bill that supporters say could fast-track the long-delayed process of getting medical marijuana into the hands of patients, but opponents warn is short-circuiting the existing law.

On April 2, a senate committee heard testimony about Senate Bill 276 that would triple the number of licenses the state cannabis commission can award in the biggest category – the integrated licenses – from 5 up to 15.

The new bill would mandate that the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) give a license to any of the companies it approved in any of the multiple failed rounds of attempts at giving out licenses last year, that would mean nine of the 15 licenses are already spoken for. The bill would also increase the number of licenses for processors from four up to six, and the number of dispensary licenses from four up …